AN OCTOGENARIAN sailor has been named admiral of Sussex Yacht Club.

David Skinner, 85, who has been an active member of the Shoreham-based club since 1971, was given the honour by his fellow sailors this month.

David said: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been granted the title of admiral.

“It really is a tremendous accolade and the very pinnacle of a lifetime of being on the sea.”

Until recently, David was still racing in his 42ft “retirement boat” with a crew of up to nine people.

He said: “I love being on the water. It’s where I raised my family and we had some amazing adventures. Sailing means so much to me and I have so many very happy memories.

“I will be an active admiral.

“My manifesto is to guard our traditional values which have taken years to build up but could be lost so quickly.”

Terry Kinch of Sussex Yacht Club said: “We are extraordinarily proud that David has agreed to be our admiral.

“He has given so much to the club and its members over the years.

“He genuinely is an inspiration to us all.”