MOST people are awash with wedding preparations before their big day, but one wannabe sailor has been busy tying knots of a different kind.

Jamie Dickinson spent seven days on the Lord Nelson rigger ship taking part in the Tall Ships Challenge to raise money for The Mission to Seafarers.

But now its all hands on deck for the former St Wilfrid's pupil as he heads up wind to Clitheroe register office - where he will wed bride Anisa Niaz on Saturday.

Thirty-year-old Jamie, from Burnley, took on the charity challenge to help reach a £25,000 fundraising target.

And he even faced his lifelong fear of heights by climbing to the top of the mast.

A total of 12 able-bodied and disabled crew members took part in the seven-day Flying Angel Challenge, which sailed around the Canary Islands, including Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, before returning to port last Monday.

Jamie started work in London as a corporate fundraiser for The Mission to Seafarers just under a year ago.

Jamie said: "It is the first time I have ever done anything like this, so I am really over the moon.

"The highlight was without a doubt seeing dolphins and whales. But it was also tremendous overcoming my fear of heights by making it up the mast.

"It was a fantastic experience to go to the top, especially when the ship was moving so much.

"There is always a big charity event each year, but this is the first time we have done something quite so nautical. It was really hard work living in people's pockets with no privacy, but at the end of the day it was well worth it."

Jamie's days aboard involved rota working with sleep in three hour patterns. To date £16,000 has been raised.

The charity has representation in more than 300 ports around the world and is affiliated to the Anglican church.

They raise money to help victims of shipwrecks as well as crew who are maltreated or need help with legal action.