A MAN who made it his mission to travel to every occupied island in the British Isles paid a visit to Mersea as part of his travels. 

Essex islands including Osea, Horsey, Northey, Wallasea, Foulness and Canvey all made the list in John Brant Chatterton's mission. 

He has now released a book which is centred around his travels to all 223 inhabited islands of the British Isles.

Gazette: Cover - John's book has all the information regarding his incredible journeyCover - John's book has all the information regarding his incredible journey (Image: Credited)

The book encapsulates his journey and gives a first-person view on what the amazing journey was like.

John has been an independent consultant in natural hazard risk management for more than 30 years, travelling with his work to more than 15 countries worldwide.

Although some are modern-day communities, some of the islands are small with declining populations, barely surviving in the North Atlantic.

John was looking for a new adventure after completing a 5,003 mile walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats and then back to Land’s End in 2016.

John said: “I needed a new challenge which would not be too taxing on a man in his mid-60s.”

“To my knowledge this is a unique journey and includes diverse trips such as those to the unique island of Foula with around 30 inhabitants some 25 miles into the Atlantic from mainland Shetland.”

The mission to travel to these islands started in the Scilly Isles and slowly worked its way through the Hebrides (inner and outer), the Northern Isles (Orkney and Shetland) followed by the islands of the West coast of Ireland from County Cork to County Donegal.