Seend businessman Nick Keen has completed the challenging Marathon des Sables five-day run across the Sahara Desert.

Mr Keen, 51, from Rusty Lane Farm, was persuaded to enter the challenge by near neighbour Sarah Chard, the UK organiser of the event.

Being fit, Mr Keen was confident he could complete the 161-mile ordeal and raise money for the Prostate Cancer Charity in the process.

He faced temperatures of up to 51 degrees Celsius as the race progressed across sun-baked sand and rock. But that was not the end of it.

Mr Keen said: “One morning we woke up to a sandstorm that went on for four hours, followed by thunder, lightning and torrential rain, which turned the sand to mud.

“Then, a little later on, the sun came out again and it was sand once more. When the race started it was a lot harder, tougher and hotter than I had anticipated but I got used to it.

“I had a couple of blisters and lost a few toenails but other than that I did well compared to some.”

Ten per cent of the 850 starters did not complete the challenge and the first aid tents along the route were kept constantly busy. Mr Keen came in 369th of the finishers.

On day one, competitors had to run 23 miles; 26 miles on day two; 24 miles on day three and then they had to complete the final leg of 52 miles within a 34-hour timeframe.

Mr Keen finished that stage in just over 16 hours.

He said: “It’s all to do with having the right mental attitude. It is a mental challenge, but if you approach it in the right way it is doable.”

Throughout his preparation for the challenge, Mr Keen has had the support of his wife, Sarah, and their sons Harry and Tom. He also had the advice of Doug Veitch of Devizes, who completed the event last year.

Mr Keen has spread sponsor forms around the village.

He also has a website www.justgiving.com/Nick-Keens through which he has raised £1,465 so far.