A MAN who collapsed at the end of a gruelling 14-hour swim competition has spoken for the first time about his ordeal.

Diabetic Mark Blewitt, 33, of Limefield Street, Accrington collapsed and was dragged to the bank of Windermere after swimming past the finishing line.

He had complained of feeling unwell in the latter stages of the Windermere Two-Way Event.

He was taken to Kendal Hospital, but later released.

Each swimmer in the race must have two oarsmen and a navigator by his side.

Two safety boats, a high speed emergency craft and canoeists shadow swimmers throughout the event.

The first man to swim the English Channel, Captain Matthew Webb, refused the Windermere challenge. The reason he gave was that the salt water of the Channel offered swimmers more buoyancy than fresh water.

Mark said: "With three miles to go I told my crew I couldn't go any further but they encouraged me to finish."

"It was hurting but I'm glad that they did.

"There's no doubt this is the toughest event I have ever raced in." Mark came third in the race, which was won by Andy Wright of Warrington in a time of 11 hours, 57 minutes.

Mark swims with Burnley Bobcats and Haslingden Swimming Clubs and occasionally with Accrington Swimming Club.

"I could not have survived the race without the help of my crew, Pete Mulderrig and Matt Simpson from Haslingden Swimming Club and Maurice Ferguson.

"Despite my problems towards the end it was a great swim and a great time."

In the past Mark has circumnavigated the 28 miles of Manhattan island coastline in New York, but for now is happy to take it easy.

"I am going to concentrate on swimming the channel next year. It's a little bit warmer down south and the salt water makes it easier."