TWO high school pupils experienced life on the open seas thanks to the Rotary Club of Tottington and Bury West.

Fourteen-year-olds Leon Vaughan and Madeline Barlow, both pupils at Elton High School, were treated to the trip of a lifetime to test their skills sailing in the Atlantic Ocean.

The trip was funded by the Rotary club through the community service budget and organised through the Ocean Youth Trust (North West). The two youngsters travelled to Collinwood Dock in Liverpool to stay on the Greater Manchester Challenge, a 76ft steel built ketch which allows children to enjoy sailing.

Before the youngsters set off on their six-day voyage, which saw them battle against strong winds, chairman of the club Peter James-Robinson and Rotarians Ken Mills and Alan Taylor joined Leon and Madeline to see what they were missing.

Peter said: "We sat with the crew for over an hour and were very impressed not only with the professionalism of the safety aspects, but also the knowledge the crew had of the seas."

Alan added: "If we had been younger, we would have loved to take part in a trip like this. Hopefully this will stay in the memories of these two youngsters for a long time."