THE biggest tall ship to be seen on the Severn in nearly 80 years is set to sail up the estuary next year, hopefully crewed by students from six Forest schools.

At 60 metres long, the 650 tonne Stavros S Niarchos has 40 metres high masts, too tall for the Avon Bridge, but allowing it to slip under the Severn Bridges. It's planned she'll make her way up the Estuary next June at the start of a voyage marking the centenary of Captain Scott's ill-fated Antarctic expedition which set sail from Cardiff on the Terra Nova on June 15, 1910.

Terry O'Shaughnessy, of the Tall Ships Youth Trust, has been planning the voyage for more than a year, says: "It'll be the first time a square rigged ship of this size will have been seen up the estuary since the 1930s. I'm hoping she'll be crewed by 40 youngsters aged from 14 to 15 from the Forest and I'm giving first option to students from six schools who've given us a lot of support in the past – Dene Magna, Newent, Heywood, Lakers, Whitecross and Wyedean. I suspect they'll be really up for it.

"It's likely they'll join the ship off the South coast and the plan is to bring her into Sharpness on the 6am tide, moor there all day, then sailing out on the evening tide, bring her across to Lydney with the youngsters manning the yards, and bring her as close as we can without grounding. Then she'll head to Cardiff as the only tall ship taking part in a three day Scott festival.

"A square rigged ship in full sailing on the Severn is going to be a truly spectacular sight, and for the youngster's crewing her, it could be a life changing experience. There's a professional crew on board, but they're the one's who'll be working as a team to sail her, from steering her. to washing down the decks, to manning the yardarms more than 120 feet up above the waves. These are unforgettable experiences."

The Tall Ships Youth Trust has been working with schools and youngsters in the Forest of Dean for some time and has forged close connections with Lydney Sea Cadets. At a reunion last week of those who sailing during 2009, three were given achievement awards, including Connor Evans and Shane Saunders who has been recommended to go back as a trainee watch leader.