Man swims length of Thames

AN ENVIRONMENTAL campaigner yesterday became the first person to swim the length of the River Thames.

Lawyer Lewis Pugh, 36, who comes from South Africa and lives in central London, completed his epic journey in Southend, Essex. He began on July 17 at Kemble, Gloucestershire, and hopes that the feat will highlight concerns about climate change. Mr Pugh is a veteran endurance swimmer who has set records in oceans around the globe.

“This challenge has proved far more difficult than I expected due to the drought and the heat wave,” said Mr Pugh.