A Trowbridge man’s bid to complete one of the toughest rowing challenges on earth failed last night after his rowing boat capsized in the Atlantic, resulting in a dramatic rescue operation.

Simon Brown’s 3,500-mile rowing challenge across the Atlantic Ocean ended just 500 miles from the finishing line in Barbados.

The six-strong team onboard are believed to have plunged into the midst of ferocious ocean waters before emergency service crews were scrambled. A nearby boat later rescued them.

The 37-year-old’s mother Janet Brown said: “We haven’t heard from him yet but we have been told he is okay.

“They were found in their life raft but it is unclear how long they had been there for. They were just beginning to feel that the end was in sight when it all went wrong.”

The crew had been battling against extreme weather conditions, stormy seas and gigantic waves.

The tough conditions had left Mr Brown, from Paxcroft Mead, unable to eat or sleep during the 30-day challenge, which would have put him in the world record books if the team had succeeded.

They also suffered many setbacks along the way when their onboard systems failed.

They were due to complete the adventure, which was organised to raise money for Childline, on Thursday.

For the full story see this Friday’s Wiltshire Times.