ATLANTIC rowers Norman Butler and Phil Scantlebury are nearing the end of their arduous 3,000-mile voyage.

Norman, a 37-year-old commercial analyst from Swindon, set off with his rowing partner on October 9, from the Canary Islands.

And after 80 days at sea, he is reported to be less than 100 miles from the final destination of Barbados.

Norman had hoped to complete the journey in time to spend Christmas with his wife and 15-week-old daughter.

The pair, who are taking part in the Ward Evans Atlantic Rowing Challenge, were not the only competitors to celebrate Christmas at sea.

Eight teams of rowers, including some other Swindon contenders, were still en route on Christmas day.

A total of 36 teams of pairs set off from San Juan, Tenerife, on October 7 to row the 2,900 nautical miles to Port St Charles in Barbados.

And they were joined by Norman, aboard the Spirit of Swindon craft despite the fact that he was unable to officially register as a race entrant. The winning team, Telecom Challenge 1, completed the challenge on November 18, after a crossing of 42 days, two hours and 16 minutes, just short of the race record of 41 days two hours and 55 minutes, by New Zealanders Rob Hamill and the late Phil Stubbs in 1997.

In sixth place finishing on Christmas Day was Bright Spark, crewed by Will Mason, 28, from Warminster and Tim Thurman, 35, whose father farms at South Cerney.

They completed the crossing in 50 days, 15 hours and 22 minutes.

Also finishing in midfield was Mcllaid crewed by South Marston company director Julian McHardy and Mark Williams.

Due to finish on December 30 is This Way Up, with Ian Charter from Suffolk and ex-Royal Navy serviceman Tony Day, 56, a former Highworth Warneford School pupil who works as a financial advisor for Zurich Financial Services.