THE youngest sailor to circumnavigate the globe in both directions launched a hi-tech visitor attraction at Buckland Abbey yesterday (Wednesday, April 23).

Conrad Humphreys ? who was also the youngest skipper to win the BT Global Challenge 2000/2001 ? opened the new interpretation galleries commemorating Sir Francis Drake at the seafarer?s former home.

Conrad said Sir Francis was one of his childhood?s heroes and he was delighted to play a part in ensuring everyone who visited the abbey would learn more about one of Britain?s great legends.

In all, three galleries at the abbey have been renewed and visitors can now explore the property and its history using interactive displays.

On arrival visitors will settle into a replica ship for an eight-minute video voyage through the history of Buckland and the life of Sir Francis Drake. The characters in the film are played by local actors and actresses.

Life on board a Tudor ship has been recreated and visitors will discover how early mariners navigated.

Interactive computers provide a wealth of information about the objects on display, including Drake?s Drum.

Overlooking one of the galleries is a 12ft model of Sir Francis Drake, created by Sir Joseph Boehm, which was used as a cast for the bronze sculptures of Drake seen in Tavistock and on Plymouth Hoe.

The cast was uncovered on Haldon Hill near Exeter in 1999.