A 17-year-old sailed into the record books today when he became the youngest person to circumnavigate the world solo.

Mike Perham was greeted by hundreds of wellwishers who lined Gunwharf marina as he triumphantly returned to our shores.

Cheers went up from the gathered crowd as his Open 50 racing yacht, Totallymoney.com, first came in to view at 11.20am.

He lADVERTISEMENTit up flares and waved as he slowly drew nearer to the pontoon.

As the teenager from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, reached dry land a swarm of television crews surrounded him.

He then embraced his family who all jumped onto the boat to congratulate him.

Mike said: 'I was close to tears for a few moments when I sailed round the corner and everyone on the shore came into view.

'I feel quite honoured to see how many people turned up.

'It's great to see what I've done has been recognised and hopefully it will be an inspiration for other people.'

He smashed the record when he crossed the finishing line between Lizard Point and Ushant, France, on Thursday, after setting off from Gunwharf on November 15 last year.

During the 30,000-mile voyage he battled with 50ft waves, gale force winds and numerous technical difficulties.

Mike originally set off aiming to complete the challenge non-stop, but technical problems forced several stops for repairs, meaning his world record is the youngest solo circumnavigation with assistance.

His voyage has taken him via Portugal, the Canaries, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

He was 16 when he set off from Portsmouth and celebrated his 17th birthday in the South Indian Ocean on March 16.

The previous youngest to complete a similar voyage was American Zac Sunderland who was two months older than Mike when he completed his voyage last month.

But it will not be the first world record set by Mike.

In January 2007 he became the youngest person to sail solo across the Atlantic at the age of 14.

(www.eduwo.com, Jainlyn&Charlotte)