Margaret Payne was only 31 when she suffered a stroke. It left her unable to walk or talk.

Thanks to intensive rehabilitation, physiotherapy and speech therapy she fought back to regain her life.

At the end of this month - 12 years after her stroke - she faces another great challenge when she takes a nine day voyage on the tall ship Tenacious.

The vessel, which provides sailing adventure for disabled and able-bodied people, leaves Southampton on May 26th. It will sail via Alderney for the Route des Moules Sailing Regatta before joining the festivities at the second Dublin Maritime Festival.

For 42-year-old Margaret, of St John's Road, Pembroke Dock, it will be an experience of a lifetime.

The idea came from Angela Walmsley, of the Pembrokeshire Dysphasia Support Group.

Margaret has also received huge encouragement from husband Barrie and their 24-year-old son Christopher, who has himself twice been on a tall ship.

Money to help fund the trip has come from Pembroke Dock Stroke Club, of which Margaret was a former member and is now a volunteer; South Pembrokeshire Stroke Club; Christopher's former scout group; Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Town Council; Sir Thomas Meyrick RAOB Lodge; Nick Ainger; RNA; Pembroke Round Table and numerous friends.

"I want to thank everyone for enabling me to go on a working holiday on board the sailing ship Tenacious," said Margaret. "It has always been my dream."