Luckington man Bobby Melville is nearing the half- way mark as he and his three friends take part in the world’s toughest rowing race.

Mr Melville is one month into the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, which is a 3,000-mile race from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua, featuring 19 other teams from around the world.

The 29-year-old professional polo player, who studied at Marlborough College, is part of the Atlantic Polo Team with fellow polo players James Glasson, Henry Brett and Fergus Scholes.

The challenge started on December 2 and will take about six weeks to complete, with the Atlantic Polo Team in third place overall.

Mr Melville said: “A million words can’t describe what we have been through so far. At night the water is barely distinguishable from the waves and you have to concentrate so hard just to stop the boat from capsizing.

“Within days our bodies were in agony with a combination of sea sickness, blisters and general aches.”

The team is aiming to raise more than £100,000 for charities. To donate, log on to www.atlanticpoloteam.com