THREE brothers have achieved a 'world record' after becoming the first to swim the entire length of the River Eden.

Calum Hudson, 25, and brothers Robbie, 28, and 23-year-old Jack tackled the 90 mile route in just nine days in aid of a swimming charity.

Originally from Cumbria, the trio embarked on the expedition on August 15 in the Yorkshire Dales and reached the finish line at the Solway Firth on Sunday (August 23).

"It was totally amazing," said Calum, a sales manager who now lives in London. "We were all elated but for me the main feeling was relief after so long planning it all.

"The highlight for us was how unbelievably beautiful Cumbria is."

The siblings started off their voyage with a three hour trek to the source of the River Eden before taking the plunge.

Calum added: "The first day was totally bizarre. It was pretty cold because it was so high up but as soon as you got going you'd warm up.

"We developed a technique of dancing to keep warm and danced down the first stretch."

It was not plain sailing as the team were forced to 'scramble' along the waterway for the first two days, confronting a gorge, waterfall and steep descent.

"I had the wrong shoes for the first day and learned a lesson the hard way," added Calum. "It was one long problem solving trip and I don't think we could have done it without duct tape!

"We used it for cuts and I got a really bad ear infection half way through and I had to duct tape it."

A trip to the doctor on day five revealed a parasite had become stuck behind his ear plug.

"I'm still loaded up on antibiotics - I even thought about quitting because I didn't want to lose my hearing," he added.

But despite overcoming illness and the sight of a 'freezing wet suit' for all but two days, the brothers made it to the end and raised just short of £2,000 for the Swimming Trust which will go towards bursaries for Cumbrian kids wanting to learn to swim.

"It wasn't about being the biggest or best - for us it was nice to have a Cumbria first," he said. "I think we would do it again but maybe in a warmer country!"