AN extreme adventurer enjoyed a welcome break in Southend as he attempts to complete the world's longest recorded triathlon.

Sean Conway, 35, is more than half way through the 4,000 mile British Ultra Triathlon, which sees him travel the entire coast of mainland Britain completely unsupported.

He is joined on the epic journey by a film crew from the Discovery Channel, who are creating a three part series on the challenge.

As Mr Conway, from Worcester, stepped foot in Southend he was greeted by supporters who were eager to hear about his travels.

Many even joined him as he jogged through Southchurch Park.

Mr Conway, who spent his night in Southend in a hotel, said: “I have good and bad days. I am feeling stronger than I have done over the last few days.

“I can’t wait to have an ice cream and sit by the sea.”

The first leg of Mr Conway’s adventure saw him cycle 3,200 miles in 36 days on his beloved bamboo bike, Matilda.

Talking about his experience so far, he said: “I have seen so much cool stuff. Everyone who lives and works by the coastline has been awesome. People are so friendly and it is fantastic when supporters come to meet me at my stops.

“I have film crew following me because the Discovery Channel are making a documentary on my adventure so between them and the people I meet, I’m never lonely.”

Having cycled 3,200-miles clockwise around England, Wales and then Scotland, Mr Conway has overcome missed ferries, treacherous mountain roads and mechanical issues along the way.

He added: “The weather’s been pretty tough and it’s been relentless. There were headwinds as I was cycling north and south, but I am feeling good, positive and confident. I had to cycle through snow in Scotland- now that was unexpected at this time of year. There is still a long way to go.”

He spent his 35th birthday camping alone in a field on Cornwall’s border with Devon and has slept in everything from woodlands to an advertising trailer so far.

Needing to take in the required 5,000 calories each day, Mr Conway has had to be creative.

He has eaten wild garlic leaves, tried dog treats because of their high protein content, and even liquidised roast dinners.

He said: “We found a pub on the route that was happy to blend up my Sunday roast, made up of peas, cabbage, mash, beef, Yorkshire pudding and gravy.

“You can absorb nutrients faster and waste less energy drinking food when it’s liquid. Who knew a roast dinner was three pints?”

Getting ready to leave Southend, Mr Conway will be running a marathon every day until he reaches Brighton seafront where he will start a 390,000 stroke swim over two weeks with a self-made raft.

Mr Conway will swim back to Lulworth Cove, where his challenge started nearly two months ago.

Discovery Channel is following Sean’s incredible journey for a three part documentary series scheduled to be broadcast in the UK and Ireland later this year.

Viewers can track Mr Conway’s adventure live at DiscoveryUK.com