Two brave seafarers from Luton are back on dry land again after a life changing experience on the high seas around Europe.

Teenagers Christopher Byrne and Jessica Gadd had to negotiate sweeping winds, torrential downpoars and the occasional squall in an 11 day journey on tall ship the Stavros S Niarchos.

The Denbigh High School pupils took part in the Tall Ships Youth Trust Voyage of Achievement, which set off from Newcastle and arrived on the banks of the Thames.

During their trip, they had to scale the ship's masts, scrub the decks, keep watch and carry out safety drills.

An enthralled Christopher said: "It was really enjoyable. We got to climb the masts and learn how to manage a tall ship, and I also learned how to communicate with people that I have never met before.

"The hardest part was the cleaning, we had to clean the deck and polish the metal so that it didn't rust."

The 60-metre ship docked alongside the HMS Belfast before going to a special welcome home reception.

Denbigh's acting headteacher, Stuart Moore, said: "This has been an amazing experience for our students. Something like this takes great courage and I am very proud of them both."