The daughter of a former Burley-in-Wharfedale Methodist minister is getting used to being on solid ground after single-handedly rowing across the Atlantic.

Roz Savage, who is believed to be the first British woman to have achieved the feat, braved atrocious weather and had to complete her journey with patched up oars after they broke halfway across.

But last week she arrived safely in Antigua to a rapturous reception from around 200 well-wishers, including her mother Rita, after 103 days at sea.

Roz, who took up rowing at Oxford, is the daughter of the late Rev Hamer Savage, who filled in as minister at Burley Methodist Church for a year three years ago.

A management consultant and investment banker up until the age 34 she gave up a steady income and a secure future for a life of adventure.

In 2003, she became a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and took part in an Anglo-American expedition that discovered Inca ruins in the Andean cloudforests.

And at the beginning of December last year, she pitted herself against the elements by embarking on a solo voyage in the Atlantic Rowing Race. Despite an inauspicious start when she found herself suffering from sea-sickness, she finally arrived in Antigua on March 13 after a journey of incredible highs and lows.

Mrs Savage, who was on the rescue boat which went out to meet her daughter in Antigua, said she had had to patch up her oars after they had all broken less than halfway through the voyage.

"It was the worst weather they had in that part of the Atlantic for nearly 200 years," she said.

For Mrs Savage, pride was mixed with relief when she saw her daughter finished her epic voyage, which included a tense week when she had been unable to make contact.

"We were in daily contact until the 17th of February and then her phone failed. For a whole week I had no idea whether she was on the boat or what was happening."

But there were memorable highlights for Roz, who celebrated her 38th birthday at sea.

She had been supported in her epic voyage by the Royal Navy, who helped with her training. And on Valentine's Day she received a visit from a naval ship. On her website she says: "It has to be the ultimate Valentine's greeting -- HMS Southampton dropped by today en route from Grenada to say hello and wish me a happy Valentine's Day."

Roz's epic journey has been followed closely by many in Burley, where her father is still remembered. Out of 26 boats taking part only one man and one woman were attempting solo rows.

Mrs Savage said: "My daughter was the only woman to have rowed solo. I think she is the only British woman to have done it."

She added: "She found it terribly hard at times, and she thought that if she had known what it was going to be like she would never have done it.

"She had wanted an adventure where she had to be totally self-reliant."