Despite capsizing three times and suffering from a back injury, a Thanet man has set a new Guinness world record for rowing the Atlantic in the fastest time.

Mathew Bennett, from Westgate, completed the challenge in 50 days, 10hrs 36mins, beating the previous time of 52 days and raising more than £120,000 for the NSPCC with four other team members.

The target to row the Atlantic Ocean from Lagos, Portugal to Venezuela and onto Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago meant Team Essence had to row 3,308 nautical miles or 3,807 miles.

Mr Bennett said: “Physically my body is trying to adapt to being back on land.

"The wear and tear on my body became apparent within six to eight hours and it appears that I have been rowing with a back injury for weeks but due to exhaustion and adrenaline the pain was masked.

“Emotionally it’s amazing to be reunited with friends and family after such a long period at sea.”

This arduous task was not an easy ride for the group.

After enduring several storms, capsizing three times and suffering multiple sores and physical challenges, Mr Bennett said he fully respects Mother Nature.

The 37-year-old said: “The ocean is an incredibly testing environment.

“Mother Nature ensured that at every given minute we gave her the respect she deserves, if not we suffered her wrath.

“We had 30ft waves that resulted in three separate capsizes during the journey, one of which was particularly dangerous as four out of five of the team ended up in the ocean.

“Other challenges were medical issues such as abscesses which needed careful medical attention.”

The crossing was fully funded by Mathew and his Westgate-based care company Acorn Homes, which helps to change the lives of vulnerable children.

The idea to support the NSPCC was born out of his desire to help vulnerable children.

The five friends who included Mathew, Oliver Bailey, Aldo Kane, Jason Fox and Ross Johnson, took it in turns to row two-hour shifts on their boat Ellida from start to finish.

Mr Bennett said: “The row has been a seven-year project for me so to have finally finished it and to enter into the Guinness Book of Records for a world first and to have raised so much for the NSPCC has left me with a great feeling.”

To find out more and donate to the team’s effort visit www.team-essence.com