A BOY from Fordingbridge has had the trip of a lifetime with MDL Sail Training Awards.

John Bratherton was one of six deserving youngsters who won a place on this year’s six-day trip aboard the John Laing.

The 230 nautical mile trip saw this year's MDL award winners first heading for an anchorage in Studland, from where they motored into Poole on the Friday evening. Next morning they had a fabulous sail round the south of the Isle of Wight on a glorious day, ending up in Haslar. They sailed to Cowes for lunch, came out, anchored at Osborne Bay and planned a final pilotage exercise up to Southampton.

The six young winners from this year will now be invited to attend the Southampton Boat Show, where they will be officially presented with their trophies at the MDL stand by the owner of MDL Marinas, Lord Iliffe.

Nominations for next year’s awards will be announced in December 2014.

For more information go to www.sailtrainingawards.co.uk.