A Frenchman today became the first limbless person to swim the Channel.

Philippe Croizon set off from Folkestone, in Kent, at around 6am yesterday, expecting to reach France within 24 hours, but managed to complete the feat in only 13 and a half.

The 42-year-old's arms and legs had to be amputated after he suffered an electric shock while removing a television aerial from a roof 16 years ago.

He taught himself to swim in the last two years, and does so using prosthetic legs and a snorkel and mask.

Earlier, Croizon's spokeswoman said he was swimming faster than expected after completing his first 12 miles in just eight hours.

After completing the 21-mile challenge last night, Croizon told the BBC he had never felt that he was not going to make it, despite aches and pains all over his body.

Croizon's father said his son had been helped by favourable wind conditions and had even had three dolphins swimming alongside at one point, which he said was a "sign of good luck".