A BRISTOL-born Army doctor and team-mate have set a record for rowing around Great Britain.

Captain Nick Dennison, 28, a former pupil at Bristol Grammar School, took on the challenge with his Royal Army Medical Corps colleague, Captain Hamish Reid.

A flare went up as the pair crossed the finish line – to cheers and whoops – on the Solent near Lymington Yacht Haven at about 3pm yesterday.

They had been rowing for 50 consecutive days at sea in aid of service charities. They were greeted by a large amount of family and friends on a flotilla of boats, which escorted them back in.

The two men set a record by becoming the first pair of rowers to row around the coast of Britain.

Captain Dennison told the Evening Post: "The high point for me was when we were in the Western Isles. It's just one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

"We hit some strong winds 80 miles east of Edinburgh and we were going so fast that we ended up surfing down the waves which were 7-8 metres high. We were going at more than 14 knots – I've never been so scared in my life."

Mr Dennison's mother Cherry was at the finish line as they crossed.

She said: "It was very exciting and emotional. I'm so very proud of them both. They've lost weight but they seem well. They're tucking into doughnuts as we speak."

The men set off on the challenge on May 12 in their 24ft ocean-going rowing boat, Komale, and battled high seas, fierce winds and strong tides on the journey of more than 2,100 miles.

The record attempt was dominated by tide cycles, with the two officers alternating between rowing two hours on and two hours off in open seas, and resting together at anchor during the foul tide in inshore waters. They rowed up to 20 hours a day, with their sleep patterns dependent on weather conditions.

Capt Dennison is based in Bovington Camp, Dorset, home of the Royal Armoured Corps.

Capt Reid, also 28, who was born on the Isle of Wight, is the Regimental Medical Officer of 22 Royal Engineer Regiment in Tidworth, Wiltshire.

As well as setting records, the men helped with scientific research into calories. It is estimated that they each used up to 8,000 calories per day on the gruelling trip.

In setting the record, the pair aim to raise £20,000 for both the ABF (the soldiers' charity) and Help for Heroes.

To donate to the team visit www.rowforheroes.com.