A WORCESTER businessman has just won a transatlantic rowing challenge in his first attempt.

After nearly seven weeks of rowing in the Pura Vida boat Carl Theakston has crossed the finishing line to complete the 3,000-mile journey from the Canary Islands to Antigua.

The chairman of Malvern-based toilet roll and paper products company ESP entered the competition with three other teammates to raise money for three different charities.

For more on this story read Monday's Worcester News.