OPEN water swimmer Marc Newman has completed a new world record English Channel swim.

The 48-year-old policeman, from Poole, has become the first person to finish a Dungeness to France crossing, which he did in an impressive 16 hours and nine minutes.

This route, which Marc attempted last year but was unsuccessful, is nearly 20 per cent longer than the traditional route and has never been completed before.

During his first abandoned attempt in 2015 Marc became sick after being exposed to diesel fumes, ingesting sea water and being stung a number of times by jellyfish.

By finishing the gruelling 26-mile distance on the second attempt, Marc has raised more than £3,500 for Julia's House Children's Hospice.

Marc, who set off from Dungeness in Kent during the record swim last week, said: "The first four hours the weather was glorious and I made really good progress."

But the forecast force 1 to 2 winds had soon escalated into force 4, making the sea choppy and hampering Marc's predicted swimming speed.

However, the veteran of five successful Channel swims, dug deep and eventually made landfall near Boulogne in France.

"Having completed the swim in over 16 hours this was the longest and hardest swim I have ever done and required so much determined effort to continue," he said.

"My swim track covers a distance of 48 miles. Without the help and encouragement of my coach, Tom Watch, and team on board the boat I may well have not succeeded. A huge thank you to all of them.

"This swim has given me the proudest moment of my swimming career."

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Marc-Newman to make a donation to Julia's House.