A FYLDE teenager has sailed away with a national schools' boating trophy for the last time.

Craig Allwood, 18, won the Wayfarer Trophy from the National Schools' Sailing Association to crown a glittering career in youth sports - but now he is too old to compete for the trophy again.

Craig, of Bispham Road, Blackpool, said: "I was so pleased after taking part in this competition for four years - and just missing the title last year - that I have won at my last chance."

He took th title after a week of racing in Weymouth against youngsters from all over the UK

Next year his partner on the boat, Nikki Salter, will have to find another teenager to help her sail to glory.

Now, Craig hopes to be able to buy a faster boat to help him sail past the winning post in competitions open to all ages.

He said: "I hope I can find a career in sailing and would love to compete in something like the Olympics, although I would also quite like to run my own outdoor pursuits centre.

"I have just finished a course in leisure and tourism and I hope to go to university in Southampton to study leisure management so I have the qualifications to set up the centre."

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