A TEENAGE sailor from Fordingbridge who set sail at this year’s MDL Sail training Awards has been presented with his trophy at a special ceremony.

John Bratherton, 13, was among six youngsters to receive the award from Lord Iliffe, chairman of MDL’s parent company, at the Southampton Boat Show.

The group of 13 to 15-year-olds earlier this year spent six days on board the ketch John Laing with the Ocean Youth Trust South. The trip, from Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, saw them plotting their intended course and getting involved with all elements of sailing.

The awards offer young people who are selected due to their accomplishments or for overcoming adverse circumstances, the opportunity to sail the training yacht.

Eamonn Feeney, managing director at MDL Marinas, said: “We are big supporters of the work of Ocean Youth Trust South and it’s fantastic that they can reward these youngsters with such a brilliant adventure.”