MODERN-DAY pioneer Melvin Magnall has twice attempted to sail to the American city of Woodbury - now he is determined to make it third time lucky.

The adventurer is preparing to sail thousands of miles to retrace the journey of Tottington Quaker Henry Wood, who fled to the USA in 1682 with his family to escape religious persecution.

Wood travelled across the Atlantic Ocean and set up a Quaker colony on the banks of the Delaware River, which he named Woodbury.

Melvin (67) became interested in Henry Wood after reading a short book about him, and has been looking into the Wood family history ever since.

He said: " Henry Wood was imprisoned for years because of his beliefs, yet he still refused to change his mind.

" He was 80-years-old when he founded Woodbury, and died there three years later, in a place where he was free to be himself. He was a man I admire very much."

Melvin, who spent much of his life in Bury but now lives in Westhoughton, has already taken his 36-ft-long yacht The Henry Wood to Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands.

He will set off from there on November 20, heading for St Lucia in the Caribbean as part of The Arc yacht rally.

After arriving in the Caribbean, Melvin will head up a canal on the east coast of the USA, and hopes to reach Woodbury, New Jersey, by the end of next April.

Melvin has visited Woodbury on a number of occasions, and is keen to strengthen links between the city and Bury. The sail of his yacht features the Bury Times title and a phrase in Lancashire dialect - A reet Lancashire mon - to let the people of Woodbury know where he comes from.

About the failed voyages, the father-of-three said: " Various problems meant that I had to abandon the two previous trips, but I am determined to get to Woodbury on my yacht this time. So many people have been involved in organising the journey and I owe it to them to complete it.

" I have no idea how I'll feel once I reach Woodbury, both mentally and physically, but I will get there."

Melvin, a retired builder, became interested in sailing 20 years ago and has been heavily involved since. He was awarded the MBE for his work with youngsters in the Ocean Youth Club.

He has also been a governor of Rossendale School, which is currently raising money to educate children in Nepal, and he will give all the money he raises through sponsorship to the schools appeal fund.

l The Bury Times plans to publish weekly reports of Melvin's progress once he sets off for Woodbury in November.