Proud Phil Aiken's beaming smile says it all as he crosses the finish line of a gruelling triathlon with his young sons.

Phil was joined by Thomas, aged three and Joshua, two, for the final few yards of the course at London's Docklands. 

The youngsters wore 'My Daddy is amazing' T-shirts as they crossed the line. 

"Part of the motivation to get to the finish was to go over the line with my boys," said Phil.  "They loved it." 

The marketing consultant decided to enter his first triathlon after turning 40. 

"It was a bit of a milestone and I always like a challenge," he said. 

"I'm all right at lots of different sports but it's more of a challenge to stick three together." 

The race involved a 1,500m swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run. 

Phil, of Hubbard's Chase, Walton, said the swimming stage was like being in a washing machine. 

"You've got 150 people in an area not much bigger than a tennis court fighting over the same bit of water and fighting for the same turning mark," he said. 

"There were arms and legs everywhere, people swimming over you and you swimming over other people.  It was quite a surprise a surprise but you just get on with it." 

Phil was determined to set a fast time after two pals promised to double their sponsorship if he finished in less than 2hrs 24 mins - beating his own target of 2hrs 30 mins. 

So far he's raised £1,200 for the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity and the Oasis Trust. 

Now Phil has been bitten by the triathlon and is planning more races, including in Clacton next month. 

"It's as much of a challenge mentally as physically, but I absolutely loved it, he said. 

To donate to either charity visit Phil's website at heartsnminds.org.uk