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

Phil, of Hubbards Chase, Walton, was joined by Thomas, three, and Joshua, two, for the final few metres of the energy-sapping course at Docklands, London.

The youngsters wore T-shirts which read “My daddy is amazing” as they crossed the line.

Mr Aiken has raised £1,200 for the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity and the Oasis Trust.

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

He said: “It was a bit of a milestone and I always like a challenge “Part of the motivation to get to the finish was to go over the line with my two boys. It was just the last ten metres and they loved it.”

Mr Aiken was determined to set a fast time because two pals promised to double their sponsorship if he finished in less than two hours and 40 minutes.

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

Mr Aiken also chose two charities with local links.

Former Tendring Technology College student Andrew Gard, from Frinton, was a victim of sudden death syndrome in 1997, just before his 18th birthday.

The Oasis Trust set up a library in memory of David Beer, a former minister at Frinton Free Church where Mr Aiken worships.

Mr Beer, of Sillett Close, Clacton, died last November, aged 70.