A YOUNG sailor from Pershore is set to take to the seas this summer to compete in the Atlantic Challenge International Contest of Seamanship for Great Britain.

Seventeen-year-old Amy Johnson, who is a student at Pershore Sixth Form Centre, will be racing alongside 19 other crew members in the contest in France.

But in order to get there she needs to raise £1,000 in sponsorship and is appealing for the help of local people.

She said: "We will compete in a series of different rowing and sailing races in a 38 foot captains gig ‘Intégrité’ against 16 other national teams some of which include Canada, Indonesia and Russia. So I am really looking forward to meeting other competitors from around the world which is a key element of the event itself.

"The competition runs over ten days in addition to the months of training before hand and weeks of training as a team together in France leading up to the competition.

"I am currently fundraising £1,000, which will cover things such as travel expenses along with the cost of boat maintenance and crew clothing so any amount of sponsorship would be greatly appreciated."

Anyone who would like to sponsor Amy can send cheques, made payable to the UK Atlantic Challenge, to Pershore High School, Station Road, Pershore, WR10 2BX.