Ahoy there me hearties: as of midday on Tuesday, sports lawyer Andrea Thompson, an assistant at City firm Denton Wilde Sapte, could be found struggling against the elements on her way to Muckle Flugga at the northern tip of the Shetlands.

Ms Thompson is one of eight crew aboard the boat 'Act of Defiance', which is taking part in the high-profile Criterion Round Britain and Ireland yacht race.

To mark the 75th anniversary of the race, it is non-stop for the first time.

The latest reports put her boat at the back end of the nine-strong race (one boat has already given up), although it is set to benefit from a handicapping system as the smallest competitor.

It is apparently trapped under the high pressure that has formed to the north of Scotland.

The race began on 20 August and can take up to 17 days.