A group of children in care in set sail today for ten days on the ocean waves.

The eight girls, aged from 12 - 16, are all in care in County Durham and will take part in a sailing trip around the west coast of Scotland on board the 72ft boat Hartlepool Renaissance.

It is hoped the trip will improve the girls' self-esteem, independence, sense of responsibility, self-awareness, and social skills.

The expedition is being funded by the Faramir Sailing Trust and Durham County Council.

During the voyage, the girls will receive training and guidance from the boat's three crew members, and could qualify for their competent crew certificates.

They will be accompanied on the trip by four members of council education and social services staff.

One of them, residential social worker Tracy Sharpe, said the trip was the culmination of a number of team-building exercises which the girls had already undergone.

"The girls are very excited about the trip. We hope they will emerge from the experience with greater confidence, a sense of achievement," she said.