Matthew sails back into Bristol

People have been fascinated by this "dinky little wooden ship"

The Matthew, the replica of the wooden ship which sailed to Newfoundland in 1497, has returned to Bristol from Brittany in north west France.

The ship set off six weeks ago to take part in a French maritime festival in Brest and has sailed back into Bristol Harbour where she is moored.

She is a model of the original Matthew which John Cabot captained over 500 years ago when he set sail for Asia.

Its next sailing from Bristol is to Cardiff's harbour festival in August.

Skipper Rob Salvidge said: "This is the third time that the Matthew has been to Brest.

"In fact it was the Brest Festival which inspired Bristol's Festival of the Sea in 1996.

"People love the Matthew wherever she goes. They're fascinated by the Cabot story. Fascinated by how this dinky little wooden ship managed to sail across the English Channel.

"Yet again we did it and got back again - not necessarily in the greatest comfort."