IT IS going to be far from 'plain' sailing when Peter Jones takes to a life on the ocean waves as part of a spectacular attempt to circumnavigate the world.

Peter, aged 31, from Ramsbottom, will be one of 300 people taking part in the mammoth effort organised by the Ocean Youth Club.

The trip has been split into a total of 15 legs, and Peter has been chosen for one of the more exotic sections - number five - travelling from Tahiti to New Zealand.

Peter is a Friend of the sports branch of the Ocean Youth Club based in the North West, which is set up to give young people, aged between 15 and 25 years, experience of sailing tall ships and the group work and activities that go along with it, such as coping with difficult situations at sea. His voyage is due to last 41 days, but is currently running seven days late because of generator problems experienced in Panama.

The trip, which marks a first for the club, set off from Southampton on December 14 and those taking part in individual legs of the trip are flown out to the starting destination and flown back again from their finishing point.

However, Peter, who leaves this weekend, is not the most experienced of sailers. Six years ago he made his first voyage across the Irish Sea taking youngsters as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, in which he is involved in Ramsbottom. Since then he has only been sailing once, when he took a group on the Greater Manchester Challenge, also across the Irish Sea. Following that event he was asked to take part with the Ocean Club.

Peter said: "I viewed it as an experience of a lifetime - one which I could not afford to miss."

"When I return I intend to train to be a youth worker and hope this will help me."

Each person taking part in the trip needed to raise £3,600 to take part in it. Peter said: "I left college to take several part-time jobs to raise money. Friends also helped me, selling raffle tickets. I have finished up £550 short and would appreciate it if anyone who can help me reach my target, could get in touch."

Anyone able to help should telephone 01706 824564.

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