CHRISTMAS has finally arrived for Bolton's record-breaking Atlantic rower.

Teenager Rachel Flanders spent December 25 thousands of miles from her Heaton home in a 29ft boat in the middle of the ocean.

So, on Saturday, mum Louise and dad Richard brought out the festive decorations, put up the tree and laid out the crackers on the dining table.

One of the toughest moments during the 17-year-old's 3,000-mile voyage was being without her family on Christmas Day.

But on Saturday, Rachel finally got to exchange presents with her parents and 12-year-old brother Charles Then the family sat down to a traditional turkey dinner.

It might have come more than two months late, but Bolton School sixth-former Rachel was delighted.

A real Christmas celebration was one of her first requests after completing her gruelling 74 days at sea.

"Before I set sail I knew I would miss being away from home on Christmas Day," said Rachel.

"Saturday was a wonderful day."

She spent Christmas Day with fellow rowers Sarah Duff, aged 24, Clair Desborough, aged 32 and Fiona Waller, aged 32, aboard their boat Silver Cloud.

The foursome, who named themselves the Atlantic Angels, had taken on the Woodvale Challenge Atlantic Rowing Race to raise cash for three cancer charities.

They treated themselves to a Christmas "party" on their boat - playing music, munching on chocolate and enjoying a break from the slog of rowing.

But it was a far cry from a real Christmas.

"We had been given goody bags to open on Christmas Day, so it was nice, but not the same as being with your family," said Rachel.

"It was so hot that it did not feel like Christmas, but we had a nice break from rowing, "I remember I was on the phone telling my mum what I wanted as presents.

"The cold weather here helped to create a Christmas atmosphere. Everyone complains about the cold but I thought it added to the day."

Mrs Flanders said: "Christmas is a very special family day for us and it was the first time we had not spend it together.

"For the first time we spent Christmas with family rather than in our own house. So we wanted to enjoy a traditional Christmas together."

Mr Flanders said: "I found Christmas Day hard. It was the afternoon before I could get into the spirit of things."

His sister's absence made for an unexpected bonus for Charles, who received a second set of presents.

"I wouldn't mind Christmas coming twice a year if it meant getting more presents!" he said.

Grandparents Robert and Greta Peel joined in the celebrations and Rachel was delighted with her presents of bedsheets for her newly decorated room, hair straighteners, a stereo, make-up, books and DVDs.

She said: "What I would really like is to be with my family next Christmas. I didn't have a big list of things I wanted but everything I asked for I got.

"I wanted the straighteners and the make-up to help me look a bit girlie after all the rowing."

And, just like the real Christmas Day, the family's late celebration ended with the family gathered around the TV.

They watched DVDs of Christmas favourites including The Vicar of Dibley and Doctor Who.