A look at the Lively Lady, a historic yacht which a Southsea greengrocer sailed around the world - in pictures

A historic yacht sailed familiar waters this month as it returned to dock in Portsmouth as part of the city’s centenary celebrations.

The 36ft ketch Lively Lady arrived in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on Saturday July 4 giving visitors a unique opportunity to step aboard the legendary yacht. The News paid a visit to the Lively Lady, which Southsea’s Sir Alec Rose famously sailed around the world in 1968, on Saturday, July 11.

Built in Calcutta, India, in 1948, Lively Lady was bought for Sir Alec by his wife in the 1960s. He had originally intended to begin his round-the-world voyage in 1966, but delayed his departure, allowing Sir Francis Chichester to become the first person to complete a solo circumnavigation.

Sir Alec eventually set sail in 1967 and returned to Portsmouth on July 4, 1968, after spending 353 days at sea on his 28,500 mile journey. Thousands lined the waterfront to welcome him home and he was knighted later that year.

The yacht is now owned by Portsmouth City Council and was leased to local charity Around and Around, founded by multiple world record-breaking sailor Alan Priddy.

Have a look inside the storied yacht in the pictures below: