HE'S done it!

Paul Berry yesterday (Thursday) successfully rowed around the Isle of Wight and in doing so, raised thousands of pounds for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and Papyrus.

Posting on Facebook, he said: "For Nan, Del, Bob and all of you that believed, donated and supported that I could do it. What a great boat my grandad built and what a great day."

Paul, 30, started his challenge at 4.15am from Ventnor and headed east.

He reached the half-way point at Newtown at around 11.40am, leading one spectator to comment: "I watched him go past Hurst Castle from the cafe at Fort Victoria.

"He was going so fast, I reckon you could water-ski behind him!"

After 12 hours on the water, Paul — who was rowing a classic wooden boat built by his grandad — was suffering from blisters and backache.

However, he braved the pain and soldiered on to circumnavigate the Isle of Wight in an incredible 15 hours, 45 minutes, receiving a deserved hero's welcome on the beach.

His success followed a previous attempt earlier in the month which Paul was forced to abandon due to wild winds which made the conditions too dangerous to continue.

Speaking to the County Press this morning, he said: "The conditions couldn't have been better.

"I had worked it out so I could go straight over Ryde sands which all worked out ok.

"I was quicker than expected on most legs, initially getting to the Needles two hours 30 minutes early, but what a horrendous stretch that was from the Needles to St Catherine's.

"I was a long way off and it was a real mind game knowing I was making headway.

"I was using fishing buoys to gauge the strength of the tide and confirm what I had expected.

"The last bit home was just grit and blocking out the pain.

"Then it was an amazing reception back on the beach; I can't thank them all enough for coming to see me back in."

It's not too late to support Paul by donating on his Rowing for Reason Facebook page.