A 22-year-old student is braving the perils of a ten-week trip around Britain in a boat so small she can touch both walls of the cabin by stretching out her arms.

Rebecca Cross, an ex-pupil of Wallington High School for Girls, has embarked on the trip with a friend, in a 21ft Mark II Corribee.

The beds are as wide as their shoulders and they can't stand up inside, but that hasn't stopped them undertaking days on end of sailing and living on the boat.

Miss Cross said: “It's the same type of boat that Ellen MacArthur sailed around Britain in.

“We have a radio on board so we can contact people but when you're in the middle of nowhere you know it will take at least 20 minutes to half an hour for them to get to you.”

The pair set sail from Essex in June and are due to complete their journey next week. Miss Cross said: “The trip has been going well so far although we have had some challenging times.

“We have done some night passages where you have three hours sleeping and then three hours steering by yourself at night.

“And we were caught in a really a bad storm when we were sailing from Scotland to the Isle of Man. It was very windy, rainy and dark and you couldn't see the waves until they hit the boat.

“I was a bit scared but you realise that boat can stand up to it and so can you.

“You feel exhilarated when you get through it and it is a great experience.”

But as well as the challenges, the pair have been able to enjoy the company of dolphins and the thrill of exploring the coastline.

Miss Cross said: “The highlight for me was sailing to Lindisfarne when a load of dolphins came and swam with the boat. Other highlights are some of the places we have seen and people we have met.

“It has been really enjoyable and it will be strange getting off the boat.”

The girls are sailing to raise £10,000 for charity Fellowship Afloat, an outdoor activity centre. To read about or sponsor the trip visit jellyfishadventures.blogspot.com.