TWO Altrincham pupils have taken to the seas as part of the Tall Ships Youth Trust Voyage of Achievement.

Alice Wightwick and Tara Gray from Altrincham Grammar School for Girls had to put their communications and teamwork skills to the test as they set sail from Liverpool, navigating through the Irish Sea around Lands End, across the English Channel and to Europe before arriving in London and sailing under Tower Bridge.

They were part of a team of 48 students from 23 schools across the UK in the 10-day adventure.

Tara and Alice, said: "The trip has been the experience of a lifetime and has changed us all as people.

"Everything about it was amazing, the things we saw and did, the weather, the captain and all the volunteer crew, the food, the sunrise and sunsets, the shooting stars, even not being able to walk in a straight line for 10 days was fun but best of all were the friends we made.

"If anyone gets the opportunity to go on the tall ships then they should, without a doubt go for it, you will never regret it."

Dana Ross-Wawrzynski, headteacher at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, said: "This has been a tremendous opportunity for any young person. The whole venture is so exciting and of such great educational value.

"All the skills our girls will need in the future are challenged in some very testing circumstances. The delight of being able to rise to these challenges has done so much for the confidence of our students."

Before weighing anchor on September 12, the girls took part in a crash course in sailing aboard the 60-metre tall ship Prince William.

While onboard they were monitored by six professional and 11 experienced volunteer tall ship youth trsut crew.