STUDENTS from Chelfham Senior School near Bere Alston will now have the opportunity to experience life on the water, right by their doorstep, with the launch of a newly-refurbished yacht.

The 30ft yacht Flamingo was launched at high tide from Weir Quay last Thursday after a blessing by the Rev Nick Law.

Staff and students from Chelfham Senior School and the tradesmen who re-furbished her over the winter at Weir Quay Boatyard were there to watch the event.

The boat was bought by the school last October to provide outside learning opportunities, skills training and challenging experiences for its 120 students.

Chelfham School is a residential special school for teenagers with complex learning difficulties.

Andy Young, teacher in charge, said: 'We thought it was crazy to be based right by this beautiful River Tamar and not give our pupils the chance to enjoy it and learn from the experience.

'I believe that sailing will help our students with balance, co-ordination, self-esteem, confidence and teamwork, as well as learning about the water and being in the great outdoors.'

Mr Young found the boat in a neglected state on the Suffolk coast a year ago and approached Weir Quay Boatyard with a view to using its expertise to refurbish her and operate from the yard's moorings on the Tamar.

Members of the school and boatyard tradesmen have worked together to get Flamingo ready for the water.

'Although structurally sound, she had been left untouched and unloved for five years and almost all systems and all equipment have had to be renewed or refurbished, but we always viewed the process of doing her up as important as the fun of sailing her.

'It's a great privilege to have our own yacht,' said Mr Young, who is also an RYA trained Yacht Master.

The school plans to take two or three students out each time on Flamingo, starting with small trips within the Plymouth breakwater and Tamar estuaries then longer coastal voyages to nearby ports and villages.

Mr Young paid tribute to the Weir Quay team, especially Spencer Hamlyn (marine engineer), Saul Thomas and Adam Hocking (shipwrights), Steve Heale (painter) and the yard's sub-contractors Allspars for the new standing rigging. They were all there to see the boat launched by Weir Quay Boatyard proprietor Mike Hooton and boatman Owen Etherington, after the pressure of work to complete on time.

Mike said: 'We were delighted to be asked to be involved. Nowadays the river is a very underused resource and we are passionate about sailing, of course.

'Everyone living here should be given the opportunity to use the river and what better leisure and learning activity can there be in this environmentally sensitive age.'