The team used the event to raise money for Children in Crisis

James Potten, from Yeovil, completed the 21-mile trip on Friday, in just one hour and 24 minutes.

On Thursday, he and two friends - Londoner David Schickler, 25, and Andy Bramah, 25, from Weymouth - had attempted the crossing but were forced back just five miles from Dover by high winds.

Windsurfers are believed to have crossed the Channel before but no official attempt has taken place where coastguards are notified on either side of the water.

'Charity and fun'

The friends got into difficulty on Thursday when the wind caused them to drift apart.

As a consequence they opted for one windsurfer to try the challenge alone.

The group hopes Mr Potten's achievement will now make an entry in the Guinness Book of Records, but Schickler said the main aim of the stunt was for "charity and fun".

Schickler, who drove the safety boat, said his friend reached an average speed of about 20mph and would have finished with a faster time were it not for ships blocking his path.

Mr Bramah was unable to take part again due to work commitments so the two remaining friends decided to let Mr Potten make the attempt as he was "better suited to the conditions".

All three friends are directors of the Student Windsurfing Association and hope the trip will raise several thousand pounds for Children in Crisis, a charity which raises money for youngsters in war-torn countries.