A 46-year-old from Watford battled through dark and exhaustion to complete a difficult cross-Channel swim in aid of a charity which helps children of parents who drink excessively.

Jeremy Irvine, of Cassiobury Drive, said he had to stop fear getting in the way of his dream when conditions turned against him on the 16 and a half hour swim.

Dad-of-three Mr Irvine started swimming after giving up drinking in 2010.

He set off from Dover around 3am in heavy thunderstorm hoping to finish before nightfall - but the swim didn't all go to plan.

Mr Irvine, who is married to Wera and dad to 12-year-old twins James and Pedro and four-year-old Felipe, said: "As I watched the sunset my heart sank, my wish was to make it before dark.

"I was told I had a chance if I could sprint for the next two feeds. I dug in and gave all I had, but it wasn’t enough.

"I felt the water temperature drop as the tide swept me away from the shore.

"I had missed the target landing spot. The price was another two hours of swimming.

"It was dark, I was exhausted, but I couldn’t give up, the crew were shouting messages from family and friends I felt like the whole world was watching the online boat tracker, I just kept swimming."

When the dingy was launched, Mr Irvine knew he was close.

He continued: "The water was too shallow for the boat and I was guided to the beach. 

"The moment my hand felt sand I didn’t want to swim another stroke so I stood up and marched out of the water.

"Once I cleared the water I held up my arms and shouted. Finally after 16hrs 25mins, I stood there in the dark, very cold, completely exhausted, but feeling fantastic.

"I would have laughed if five years ago you had told me I would become a channel swimmer.

"If I can do this anyone can, I just stopped fear get in the way of my dream."

He was guided by his escort Eddie Spelling, who shouted encouragement from his boat Anastasia.

Mr Irvine has done the swim in aid of the National Association of Children of Alcoholics and is still hoping to raise more for the charity.

He said: "I chose to raise money for Nacoa (National Association of Children of Alcoholics) because of the fantastic work they do.

"Their team of volunteers provide confidential support to children of all ages who are affected by their parents drinking."

To find out more about the charity visit http://www.nacoa.org.uk/.

And to make a donation visit https://www.justgiving.com/Jeremy-Irvine/.