Boy sailor may have to sell yacht

Michael said he was overwhelmed by his reception Arrival in Antigua

A 14-year-old boy who sailed into the record books as the youngest person to cross the Atlantic single-handed may be forced to sell the yacht he used.

Michael Perham, from Potters Bar, ended his 3,500-mile (5631km) six-week voyage when he sailed into Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua on 3 January.

He had set off from Gibraltar on board his 28ft (8.5m) yacht, Cheeky Monkey.

But the Perham family may have to sell the yacht after being told it could cost £10,000 to return it to the UK.

Family spokesman Kizzi Nkwocha said: "It has been a very sad ending to an amazing adventure.

"The Perhams were hoping that they could bring Cheeky Monkey back to the UK as it is part of British history.

"But with the huge costs involved, that's looking increasingly unlikely.

"Michael was also hoping to enter the Round the Island Race in Cowes, Isle of Wight, this June, but, for that, he's going to need his yacht."

When he arrived in Antigua Michael was escorted by a flotilla of boats and was later invited to meet the Antiguan Prime Minister.

In the UK, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott called Michael a "successful sailor in the great British maritime tradition".