THE death of a relative inspired an adventurous couple to sail around Britain on an "incredible journey" in a tiny motorboat.

Dominic and Nicola Gribbin arrived back in Poole on Saturday, windswept but happy after four months at sea in their little boat, Jura Pilot.

They were welcomed with a family party on Cobbs Quay.

"It was amazing, an incredible journey," said Dominic, an ex-television production student at Bournemouth university.

"People usually do this trip in yachts and we were in a small motor boat, so it's been quite an epic in terms of navigating big seas and the weather, but thankfully we're safe and in one piece."

They had decided to fulfil their dream of sailing round Britain after Nicola's uncle, Maurice Cullen, died from the nerve-wasting condition motor neurone disease in 2003.

"We couldn't help but feel life was simply too short to go on just dreaming our dream," said Dominic.

"Maurice would have loved the opportunity to have done just that but life robbed him that chance.

"It is to Maurice and all those who suffer MND that we dedicate our efforts."

The couple sailed around the South Coast to Wales, then across the Irish Sea to sail up the coast from Wexford, back to the Mull of Kintyre, around the Hebrides and then south past Aberdeen and along the east coast of England.

The fund-raising trip was awash with adventure, from rescuing a family of four when their tiny speed boat broke down outside Weymouth, to playing "weather roulette" with winds of up to force eight - deciding when to stay put because of the weather and when to make a dash for it.

The pair raised more than £3,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association through the trip.

To add to the sponsorship money, visit www.justgiving.com/sponsorlittleboatbigisland.

First published: October 5