The Warwick Gates resident, a leader with Radford Road Rainbows and Brownies, was among 40 Guides and leaders racing on board the Jubilee Sailing Trust's ship the STS Lord Nelson.

The ship is normally set up to help disabled people sail alongside able-bodied people, but on July 21 she set out to be the first to reach Måløy in Norway from a start line off the Northern Irish coast.

Cheering crowds waved off the 70 ships as they set off from Liverpool on July 21, and once at sea the Lord Nelson's crew took it in turns on four-hour 'watches' to be responsible for steering, sails, lookout and cooking.

Mrs Halpin, 50, has sailed yachts for 20 years but a vantage point in the rigging of the tall ship gave her a new perspective.

She said: "You experience all the different times of day when you are sailing. When you are sailing at night you can see the dawn come up and watch the sun set.

"There is a lot more physical work on a tall ship but it's great when you feel yourselves all working together to get the sails up."

Out at sea, race conditions were calm. Winds were so light that the race took two days longer than expected. When the Lord Nelson became becalmed off Cape Wrath the crew set to work knitting scarves and garments for charity.

Some ships retired from the race but Miss Halpin and the others were determined to finish. Even though the Guides' ship came last she feels taking part was well worth it.

She said: "Sometimes when things are built up they end up being a disappointment but it met all my expectations.

"There were a lot of people aged under 30 in the crew. They kept cheerful no matter what was happening.

"Their determination gives you real hope for young people."

Call 024 7623 0554 to find out more about Guiding in Warwickshire.