National charity Sea Cadets is raising £800,000 for two new yachts and had one of them in their sights as they signed the first contract for a Rustler 42 yacht at Falmouth Haven.

Local cadets from the Falmouth and Penryn unit were on hand to cheer on Sea Cadets CEO Martin Coles when he joined Rustler Yachts director, Adrian Jones, for the signing.

The new yachts replace the charity’s current Tradewind 35 yachts after 16 years of service during which time they have taken 4,600 young people on transformational sea voyages.

Sea Cadets spent a year fundraising the £400,000 needed to replace one of two yachts, thanks to the support from the City of London’s Lord Mayor Appeal.

Mr Coles, said: “Upgrading our yachts is vital - without modern equipment we limit our efforts to inspire, to boost young people’s confidence through access to skills and experiences that can help define them and their futures.

"These Rustler 42 yachts mean we can take more young people to sea - helping more to a great head start in life with a range of skills as well as an unforgettable, life changing experience.”

The new yachts are bigger, meaning the charity can help more cadets get to sea to experience an offshore voyage. The yachts will be part of the Sea Cadet fleet of flagship TS Royalist, a 29m tall ship; and TS Jack Petchey and TS John Jerwood, two power vessels.

Jones of Rustler Yachts, added: "It has been a privilege to have worked on this project. Rustler Yachts are delighted to have been chosen to build two very special new yachts for the Sea Cadets."