Two rowers who battled waves and lack of food during a 98 day Atlantic crossing had a warm welcome from friends and family in Falmouth harbour this morning.

When Tom Hudson and Peter Fletcher landed at North Quay, it was the first time they had stepped ashore since leaving New York in May, having completed the first ever unaided transatlantic row.

The pair completed the journey of more than 3,000 nautical miles to raise money for the McGrath Foundation, an Australian charity which aims to raise awareness of breast cancer and put specialist nurses in communities.

Tom said it was "fantastic" to have arrived, and said he was happy to see a crowd turn up in support at the end of their journey.

He said: "To come in with a little flotilla, it's like a dream."

He described the journey as "nearly 100 days, and nearly 100 different challenges."

The original goal had been to reach Bristol by the end of July, but as plans went awry the pair found themselves rowing without food, and when a Royal Navy ship finally dropped brought them supplies they had to hold off eating until they had officially crossed the finish line south west of the Isles of Scilly.

Tom said: "Running out of food was one of the hardest obstacles."

"We knew seven weeks out that we were running out of food, and we had diminished supplies after seven weeks."

He added: "I wish we didn't train, I wish we'd spent longer in the pub, eating chips and pies, because it was all about endurance."

The pair had sent a message to Falmouth Coastguard saying they were out of food and water, but they didn't receive any communications letting them know HMS Portland was on its way, and even when it appeared on the radar Tom said he had no idea it was for them.

He said: "We had to wait another three hours to open them 'til we were across the finish line.

"We had to do it, 99 days and it was all worth it."

Pete said it was "amazing" to see his family again.

He said: "In some of the darker moments I would think about them, but you can't too much because it crushes you."

He said such "darker" moments included the first time the boat rolled over. A message went out on social media saying the boat had rolled, and as he was worried that Beth would worry about him, he called home.

He said: "To be honest, I was the one that ended up all emotional."

As part of their arrival the pair were presented with bottles of cider, their first alcohol in months, and said the first thing they planned to eat was a Cornish pasty.