TWO Hampshire women have set off on their sailing trip of a lifetime after winning a competition in the Daily Echo.

Thanks to sponsorship from the Jubilee Sailing Trust, Maureen Kendall from Itchen, Southampton, and Pat Lucas from Basingstoke stepped on board the trust's new tall ship, Tenacious, at Southampton Docks. Four hours later, after showing their families around the vessel and learning some of the ropes, they were heading down Southampton Water.

Then it was out into the English Channel for visits first to the Channel Islands and then to France before the return leg to Southampton.

After taking a look at the vessel, Maureen, 58, who was nominated by her daughter for the trip, said: "I'm trying to get my sea legs and I'm really looking forward to it." Pat, 52, said: "I just can't wait to get started."

The two met at one of the trust's Southampton branch open evenings and will work together on the seven-day voyage.