AN OLD Colwyn 'extreme' explorer has completed his latest 352-day 4,000-mile expedition which saw him walk the entire length of the Yangtze River in China.

The year-long solo trek saw the 28-year-old take more than eight million steps and marks his third 'world-first record'; Ash claims to be the first person to complete journey on foot.

The Yangtze or Yangzi is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world.

During the trek, Ash was followed for two days by a pack of wolves and walked at 5,100m altitude in temperatures dropping to -20°C.

Ash said: "It's an unreal feeling to cross the finish line.

"It took two years to plan and one year to execute, so it'll take a while to sink in.

"But it's such a special moment - history is created."

Members of a team who were walking with Ash dropped out before the expedition had even begun because the source of the Yangtze River was so difficult to reach and there was a risk of being attacked by wolves and bears.

Ash added: "This has been more than a personal achievement; it is unlocking human potential and showcasing that, in a world where every corner of the planet is occupied by people, there are still things that haven't been done.

""It has also been far from just a challenging journey, as it's been a cultural one too."

During the expedition, Ash highlighted conservation projects by organisations including the World Wildlife Fund and the Green Development Fund and he recorded the amount of plastic and pollution he saw along the way.

In 2014, Ash became the first recorded person to walk across Mongolia from west to east in an unsupported solo expedition which took 78 days.