A HAMPSHIRE charity is celebrating 30 years of helping disabled and able-bodied people experience the magic of sailing.

Glasses of champagne were in abundance as crowds gathered at the Southampton Boat Show to wish a happy 30th birthday to the Jubilee Sailing Trust.

Dozens of trust supporters were joined by chief executive Amanda Butcher and British Marine Federation chief executive Rob Stevens, who did the honours of cutting the birthday cake.

Mrs Butcher said: "It's a fantastic achievement reaching 30, and here's to another 30 successful years.

" The JST was set up in 1977 by Christopher Rudd as a way of addressing the lack of accessible opportunities for disabled people to enjoy the experience of offshore sailing.

With a kickstart from the Queen's Silver Jubilee Fund, the JST purchased its first boat, called Soren Larson, but overwhelming success for the trust meant it had to upgrade.

In 1985 the trust commissioned the building of its first specifically designed tall ship, the Lord Nelson.

In 2003 the charity added Tenacious, another three-masted square-rigged tallship, to its flotilla.

In addition to the boat show party the JST is holding a prestigious black tie ball at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on October 5.

Guest of honour at the ball will be Hampshire celebrity gardener and trust vice-patron Alan Titchmarsh.

Tables for the ball, themed Pimms and Pearls, consist of ten places with each place costing £120.

All money raised will be used to keep the JST running for another 30 years.

For more information visit www.jst.org.uk.