A SUFFOLK soldier is among four men expected to break a world record today .Ben Jesty and his three fellow rowers were due to complete a 2,000 mile rowing challenge around Britain's coast.

A SUFFOLK soldier is among four men expected to break a world record today .

Ben Jesty and his three fellow rowers were due to complete a 2,000 mile rowing challenge around Britain's coast.

The 25-year-old from Butley has spent 26-days circumnavigating Britain in a rowing boat with fellow Grenadier Guards William de Laszlo and James Bastin.

They have been joined by company director Will Turnage in their quest.

Mr Turnage said: "The finish seems to have dragged on a bit and we have had pretty awful weather down the east coast but we have done it a bit quicker than we thought we would and have proved a lot of people wrong."

Despite being hit by force eight winds and 50ft seas in the Irish Sea and almost being capsized by a freak wave off Scarborough, the team has managed to average more than 70 miles a day.

The journey has never been attempted in a rowing boat before because of Britain's treacherous tides and crowded shipping lanes.

Lieutenant Jesty went sculling on the River Thames to build up his fitness but, as the end of the journey came near, Mr Turnage said each of the men was exhausted.

He said: "We are totally and utterly shattered and it seems to have caught up with us just in time for the finish – we have had very little sleep.

"It's been enjoyable. As we travelled down the coast on Saturday morning in the moonlight the algae was glowing in the dark. It is amazing – every time you put your oar in it shimmers."

The group rowed through Orford Ness and Ipswich briefly on Saturday before embarking on the last stage of their journey back to London.

The purpose of the challenge is to raise £1million for The Outward Bound Trust and the Bud Flanagan Fund for leukaemia research.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation can do so at the team's website www.gbrowchallenge.co.uk or telephone 01931 740007.