A SKIPPER with a crew of police cadets who had never sailed before has triumphed against international competition.

Tom Bridle, 26, of Brightlingsea, led a yacht which won its class and overall honours in the Falmouth to Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta.

The yacht, Duet, is operated by Bradwell-on-Sea based Cirdan Sailing Trust, which aims to provide young people with opportunities for self-development through sailing.

Tom’s crew included three 15-year-old Metropolitan Police cadets and their 18-year-old instructor.

The team beat off competition from 44 other crews from across the UK and Europe, completing the course in 37 hours to win by 13 minutes.

Tom, of Marennes Cresecent, said: "We are all very proud of our result.

“I've never sailed off the south coast before and it's my first Tall Ships race, but we had near-perfect conditions for Duet and we're really chuffed to win."

Tom took over as skipper of the 102-year-old Duet – a 22 metre long Edwardian classic gaff rigged yawl, once owned by explorer Augustine Courtauld, at the beginning of this year.

He began his sail training career with the Pioneer Trust in Brightlingsea six years ago.