A record-breaking sailor from Marshfield is a finalist in the national Maritime Heroes awards.

Jeremy Warren, 55, is one of only three finalists in the country to be selected, after he and his friend Phil Kirk sailed around the mainland of Britain in a dinghy in a daring mission that involved spending 15 nights at sea in the small two-seater boat.

The pair, both engineers and members of Thornbury Sailing Club in Gloucestershire, made it around Britain in 32 days and three hours, more than halving the previous record of 76 days set in 2012.

Mr Warren, who has been a Royal Yachting Association yachtmaster and dinghy instructor since the age of 15, said: “It was the type most people use for a day’s sail, normally three hours max, you could readily capsize if you don’t concentrate.

“It was scary at times, especially from Land’s End when you’ve got 100 miles of open sea to Wales.”

He and Mr Kirk, 42, of Kingswood near Westonbirt, prepared for two years for the journey. Mr Warren said: “We were lucky with the winds, and the boat was fitted with a GPS transmitter monitored on shore, so there were loads of people watching us.”

Reaching the finals of the maritime awards, initiated by Old Pulteney Scotch whisky, means he has won £500 for Thornbury Sailing Club, which he expects will be used to buy training boats to bring in new members.

Margaret Mary Clarke, senior brand manager of the awards, said: “It is clear that Jeremy is truly deserving of the award.”

The winner of the final, to be decided later this month, will receive £2,500.