MEET Britain's toughest man. Wading through ice-cold waters, climbing electrified fences and running through blazing straw were just some of the arduous tasks Rhys Peters completed to win the world's hardest physical event - the Tough Guy competition.

Competing against thousands of others, including members of the military, Mr Peters, 24, of Newport, came first in the gruelling event held to raise money for a horse sanctuary in Wolverhampton.

The event was started in 1986 by the sanctuary owner, and now has cult status, with people from all over the world taking part.

Mr Peters said the event is described as a "physically challenging, mentally demanding, fear-inducing, visual spectacular".

He covered an endurance track over rocky ground, and the Ghurka Grand National, where contestants jumped over fences and ran through ditches for ten miles.

The underwater tunnels - voted the most dreaded obstacle five years running - saw people wading chest deep for 200 metres with the route blocked by telegraph poles.

There were also 60ft frames, bramble-filled trenches and fire walks to contend with.

Mr Peters said: "I wasn't really thinking about winning at the time, and when I was ahead of my group a marshall shouted to me that I was first - I couldn't believe it, and from then on I just went for it."

For more information on the event, visit www.toughguy.co.uk