A 14-year-old boy has told of his delight after entering the record books by becoming the youngest person to sail the Atlantic single-handed.

Michael Perham said he felt "fantastic" after his near seven-week, 3500-mile voyage in which he had to contend with giant waves, shark-infested waters and gale-force winds.

Michael, who has been sailing since he was seven, set off on his voyage in his 28ft yacht, Cheeky Monkey, from Gibraltar on November 18 and completed the trip when he sailed into Antigua, in the Caribbean.

He was escorted into dock by a flotilla of boats and was greeted by a traditional steel band.

"It feels fantastic to be back on dry land, brilliant," he said. "It was a fantastic trip. I enjoyed almost every minute of it."

He used the trade winds that have carried sailors from Europe past Africa to the Americas for centuries.

On one occasion he had to dive into the water with a piece of rope attached to the boat tied round his waist to carry out emergency repairs.

Michael, from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, also had to stop off at the Canaries and Cape Verde Islands when he had problems with his equipment, which delayed his progress.

His father, Peter, an experienced yachtsman, shadowed the trip from a boat about one mile behind and was in regular radio contact with his son.

Michael was given three weeks off school to complete the voyage, but while on board he managed to do some homework.