WELL-WISHERS gave a rousing send off to skipper Andrew Hindley as he set sail on the last leg of the BT Global Challenge.

As water cannons exploded over Boston harbour the Accrington sailor was cheered on his way by more than 20 friends and family members who had flown to America.

And his dad Tony Hindley said, after a shaky start to their trip, the group had a super time. The journey to Boston was clouded by a plane delay, which meant the travellers missed their connection in New Jersey.

The group had to take separate flights, some people suffering a 19-hour journey and missing Andrew at Boston Airport. But then the week picked up.

Tony, of Hollins Lane, Accrington, said: "We got to sail on the Save the Children boat with Andrew as skipper, went whale watching, visited the sites of the American revolution and the weather was perfect."

The group met Andrew, 29, between the fifth and last legs of the round-the-world challenge.

Tony, Andrew's mum Dorothy and his sister last saw him when the race set off in September. They were accompanied by Andrew's friends from Accrington Rotary Club.

He is expected in England on his 30th birthday, July 15, when family and friends will once again line the dockside to greet him.

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