TEENAGERS Amy Armstrong-Coates and Kimberley Workman, from Sedgefield Community College, are back home after spending nine days with 46 other students from all parts of the UK aboard one of the country's finest tall ships.

The ship sailed from Cardiff on Tuesday, September 17, and has now returned to London.

Amy and Kimberley, both 18, were picked to crew the Stavros S Niarchos, a 200ft square-rigged brig.

The ship, which is owned by the Sail Training Association, was specially chartered for the schoolchildren by the HSBC Education Trust.

With a professionally qualified crew showing them the ropes, the students sailed the Stavros across the English Channel to Cherbourg.

They then set sail for London, where traffic was stopped as Tower Bridge opened to hail their arrival.

The HSBC Education Trust was founded to help communities across the UK provide opportunities for young people.

Chief executive Dame Mary Richardson said: "After organising this event last year, we realised exactly how profound an effect it can have on those taking part."

The Sail Training Association is Britain's leading maritime youth development organisation.

Its work with young people is endorsed by the Department for Education and Skills.

The voyage qualifies participants for the residential section of the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award.