A TRANS-ATLANTIC rower has been contending with an unusual obstacle while rowing the Atlantic - flying fish.

Tim Wilks and his colleague have been rowing double shifts to make extra headway during good weather.

Mr Wilks, from Darlington, and fellow rower German Peter Raab are attempting to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in a specially-adapted boat.

The end of the first week of the new year heralded good weather - and the first attacks of flying fish.

The fish have even landed on the boat, with one hitting Mr Raab on the back of the head.

In his latest email, Mr Wilks said: "We're just over half way and hopefully we'll hit the trade winds any day, which will push us on faster.

"The second half of the trip should take less time. We're just aiming for 999 miles left to go on our GPS.

"That will feel like we're past a huge hurdle and we're on the home straight."

The pair had started this year with a celebration that included a bottle of champagne and singing Auld Lang Syne.

But rain returned during the first few days of the year. Mr Wilks, 29, said: "It's overcast and raining intermittently, so we've had our wet weather gear on with our hoods up. Even so, it is virtually impossible to stay dry."

He has also complained of the toll of constantly sitting and he pair have started to sit on padding from the cabin to make rowing more comfortable.

They hoped to make the trip from Tenerife, which started on December 8, to the Antiguan finishing post in three months.

Mr Wilks' progress can be followed on www.bptenerife.com/atlantic-row ing-race