AT a time when the public’s faith in the leaders of our society is being sorely tested by the arrogance and greed of some of our politicians, how refreshing it was to read of the exploits of 71-year-old Jeffrey Allison, from Middleton Tyas, near Richmond, North Yorkshire (Echo, May 12).

To circumnavigate the world in a sailing vessel is a tremendous achievement for any person, but to do so at an age when the majority are well into their retirement, and via the infamous Northwest Passage, is in a category all by itself.

Mr Allison has achieved what a fellow Yorkshireman, Captain James Cook, found to be impossible. On his third, and last voyage of exploration in 1776-80, Cook was unable to find the Northwest Passage and turned back towards Hawaii where, sadly, he was killed.

The only word that can adequately describe the exploits of today’s explorer is “bravado” and this particular Yorkshireman has it by the bucketful.

I can only hope that the authorities take note and honour Mr Allison in an appropriate manner.

James A Cowan, Belmont, Durham.