AN intrepid group of teenage girls has set sail on an adventure that would shiver the timbers of any landlubber.

Eight girls, who are cared for by Durham County Council social services, set off in the 72ft sailing ship, the Hartlepool Renaissance, at 10am yesterday with four staff from the council's education and social services department, and three crew members.

The journey will be no luxury cruise, as they will get up at 4am to help sail the ship, and will help to navigate, cook and clean.

The girls, aged between 12 and 16, come from across County Durham and have taken part in several team-building exercises in preparation for the event.

Dawn Cook, from the council's education department, said: "The girls have really gelled as a group and made good friends. There has definitely been a change in them during all the team building. They're more confident. When they first met us they were quite shy, but they're like friends now."

One of the crew, 16-year-old Kirsty, from Peterlee, said: "I'm really excited. I'm looking forward to being at sea and on the boat. I wouldn't mind climbing the mast."

The exact route of the voyage will depend on the weather, but the ship was leaving Largs, near Glasgow yesterday to travel along the West coast for ten days.