PARENTS and friends of round-the-world yachtsman Andrew Hindley are hoping his thirtieth birthday will bring plenty to celebrate.

The Accrington skipper is set to dock in Southampton on the big day - July 15 - at the end of the gruelling BT Global Challenge.

And his well-wishers are planning a quayside celebration when the Save the Children Boat finally comes home.

Andrew is currently part way through the 7,000 mile fifth leg of the journey from Cape Town to Boston.

His parents Tony and Dorothy were delighted when, after a shaky start, they learnt Andy had pulled the crew from fifth to second place in this leg.

He is lying in third position overall in the race and is set to arrive in Boston on June 12.

Tony said: "Andrew had a plan to get through the Doldrums and make a run for it and it seems to be paying off.

"He is thrilled to be in front again and was in great spirits when we spoke to him last."

His parents, of Hollins Lane, Accrington, have just returned from Worcester where they were guests at a special Challenge open day organised by Save the Children yacht sponsors Serco. Andy's friends from around the country and former members of his crew also attended, watching videos and looking at pictures of the journey so far.

Family and friends used the occasion to finalise their trip to Boston to meet Andy.

A crowd of 21 supporters, including his parents, will fly to America on June 23 in time to give him a super send-off on the sixth and last leg of the trip from Boston to Southampton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.