A TEAM of record-breaking rowers have told how they prepared for death during their trans-Atlantic crossing.

Crewmen Nigel Morris and George Rock from Teesside said they felt certain they would die during an horrendous storm on their journey from Newfoundland, in Canada, to Falmouth last month.

At a presentation in Stockton in their honour yesterday, the men, from Ingleby Barwick, along with fellow crewmen Steve Dawson and Rob Munslow, said they thought they would not see their families again.

Mr Rock, 41, of Crasswell Park, Ingleby Barwick, said: "We went through very scary times when we were in the storms and in one storm we really didn't think we were going to see the night out.

"We thought the boat was going to be smashed to bits by the 60ft waves. I remember thinking, 'there are so many things I still want to do'."

And Tees docker Mr Morris, of Hawford Close, said: "Me and George were in the Royal Navy together and were at sea a lot, but I think this was as close to death as we could ever get."

The four men were presented with medallions by Mayor of Stockton Mick Stoker yesterday to mark their feat, in which they broke three oars, nearly hit a tanker and were circled by a humpback whale.

Since they smashed the record by 15 days in their 29ft boat Naturally Best - making it back to the Scilly Isles in only 39 days on July 10 - their feet have barely touched the ground.

Last Thursday, they met the Queen at St James' Palace and told her about their adventures at sea.

But back in Stockton yesterday, they said they were finding it difficult to get back to life on land.

Mr Morris, due to return to work tomorrow, said: "From rowing two hours on and two hours off, to coming back home and sitting and chilling, I'm finding it difficult to do."

Mr Rock said: "I promised my wife, Julie, that I would retire from ocean rowing, but that is not to say we won't have another adventure in the future."