A FIREFIGHTER who rowed more than 3,000 miles across the Atlantic to raise money for charity returned to a hero’s welcome.

After 75 days at sea, Manchester Airport fire station watch manager Neil Gyllenship, of Parkgate, and colleague Dean Jagger enjoyed an emotional reunion with their loved ones as they arrived back on a flight from Antigua.

Celebrations were kick-started by a spectacular water guard of honour delivered by workmates in fire engines as the plane landed.

It was the first time the Team Heatwave pair had seen their families since they started their epic challenge more than three months ago.

Mr Gyllenship said being apart from his family was the hardest part of the trip.

He said: “Life on board was OK. We got into a routine pretty quickly, our discipline was second to none and we maintained it throughout.”

But he admitted there were some difficult periods when stormy weather meant they had to wait on anchor and could not make any progress.

Mr Gyllenship said: “It was so hot and humid while we were riding out the storms. We were on a sea anchor and it was frustrating because it was another day away from our families.”

Mr Jagger, 35, from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, was met by children Lucy, 16, Thomas, 13, and Elliott, 12, as he walked down the steps of the jet.

The rowers described their trip from Tenerife to Antigua as an “emotional rollercoaster”.