EIGHT youngsters will sail in to Newcastle on Monday after a week on the high seas.

The sailors, aged between 14 and 19, have learnt to sail a 92ft Victorian schooner as part of a personal development programme for inner city youths at Fairbridge in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear.

On Monday, they will sail into Newcastle with Lee Hetherington, 30, from Gateshead, at the helm.

Jeff Hurst, project manager, said: "This journey has been both physical and emotional and enabled them to learn new, transferable skills to help them face a successful future.

"With no mobile phone on board or the chance to jump ship, the young people have worked around the clock to steer the ship from Leith to Newcastle."

Fairbridge offers the chance for young people, who are not in training or employment, to learn new skills.