RACHEL Flanders, the Bolton School pupil who became the youngest girl to row across the Atlantic last month, is to have her achievement recognised by the Royal Naval Association.

She is being made an honorary member of the Bolton branch of the organisation at its next meeting at the Bolton sea cadets unit headquarters in Castle Street, The Haugh, on Wednesday evening.

The 17-year-old became the youngest person to row the 3,000-mile journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the West Indies when she and three other women completed the 74-day journey on February 14.

Jan Thomas, secretary of the Bolton branch of the Royal Naval Association, said: "As former members of the navy, we really appreciate what she has achieved in her young life. She has conquered the sea."

Rachel, who will be attending the ceremony with her parents, Richard and Louise, and brother Charles, said she was delighted when she heard the group wanted to make her an honorary member.

She said: "I feel privileged that they thought to ask me. I'm looking forward to going and meeting all the members of the association."

Earlier this month, Rachel, from Heaton, was honoured by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Barbara Ronson, at a special reception at Bolton Town Hall.