HERO yachtsman Tony Bullimore was again the centre of attention when he sailed into Lancashire last week - although this time the weather was much better!

Tony, 58, hit the headlines earlier this year when his round-the-world sailing attempt ended in disaster after his boat capsized in the south pacific.

Miraculously, he spent five days inside the yacht before Australian rescuers found him.

This time however, Tony was doing nothing quite as dramatic. He was opening the new Sceptre Point business park in Bamber Bridge, near Preston, which is named after the famous Sceptre boat, the first boat to challenge for the former Americas Cup after the war.

For Tony, who has plans to take to the seas again next month, the event was the realisation of a lifetimes dream as he climbed onto the boat, which is part owned by developer Eric Wright.

He said: "The Sceptre is one of the world's classic boats and it is an honour for any sailor to work aboard it, and for me it is wonderful just to stand aboard it."

Tony, who was wearing flip-flops, because he is still suffering with frostbite, also spoke of his immediate plans.

"I go back out to sea next month in the EU race around Europe. My long-term aim is to launch another single-handed round-the-world effort."

The new sceptre point development is located near to where the M6, M61 and M65 meet.

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