A Wandsworth man who helped beat the world record for crossing the English Channel in a dragon boat has spoken of his joy.

Dicky Robinson, 31, was part of the all male Brotherhood team who successfully beat the previous record which stood at seven hours 45 minutes on Saturday.

The ex-army officer told the BBC: "It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all of us.

"Just getting across there in itself is a great achievement."

The Brotherhood team made it from Dover to Calais in three hours and 30 minutes, just 12 ahead of the all female Sisterhood crew which was racing them in The Beauty v Brawn cross-Channel challenge.

The crew completed a 21-mile journey across the world's busiest shipping lane to raise money for children's charities this weekend.

The Sisterhood team hit the headlines when they were joined by Prince William's on-off girlfriend Kate Middleton.

But she was forced to pull out after organisers said there were security concerns caused by media coverage of the event.

Despite this and one member suffering a broken collar bone before the race, the team is now the first all-female crew to cross the Channel in a dragon boat.

The challenge has helped raise £100,000 for groups including the Babes in Arms charity, which sponsors research in abnormalities in newborn babies, and children's hospice charity Chase.