MARATHON swimmer Christopher Green has become the eighth man ever to swim 10 shark-infested miles around Robben Island.

The 60-year-old was followed on his lap of the island, off the coast of South Africa, by an electronic torp-edo that sent out radio waves to deter the predators – including the Great White.

Mr Green said the device did not solve all his problems as he tackled the six-hour front crawl through 16-foot waves in icy waters.

“It was a tough test. I was stung almost as soon as I landed in the water by jellyfish, which looked like huge floating carrier bags.

“Their stings felt like electric shocks and afterwards I needed several antihistamine injections to bring the swelling down on my legs and face.”

The seasoned swim-mer, who owns Lunes-dale House Care Home in Hale, Milnthorpe, took on the challenge to mark his 60th birthday.

He braved rough weather and freezing water despite reports that a man had been attacked by a shark in the bay next to Robben Island.

“I didn’t see any sharks – which I think is good proof that the radio waves definitely worked,” he said.

Mr Green’s wife Norma said the swim had provided a thorough test of her husband’s abilities.

“It was tough – I can tell you that much,“ she said.

“Christoper doesn’t make a big show out of it but it certainly wasn’t an average swim.”

This summer Mr Green will attempt to become the first man to swim from the Isle of Man to Scotland.

While his prevous attempts have been hampered by bad weather, the veteran athlete – who swims outdoors up to three times a week – hopes conditions will be just right this August.

A slipped disk initially led Mr Green to join a swimming club at the age of 20, and since then he has taken on Coniston Water 67 times and Windermere on 24 occasions. He has also swum the 24-miles around Walney Island, off Barrow.