'SUPERSPARKS' Colin Betts is back on dry land after experiencing the adventure of a lifetime navigating the oceans of the globe.

For the past four months the daredevil 44-year-old electrician from Billinge has been a member of the 18-strong crew of 'Team Spirit' in the BT Global Challenge round-the-world yacht race.

The event reached an exciting climax when the yachts sailed into Southampton to be greeted by crew members' family and friends, including Colin's proud 11-year-old son, Joseph.

'Team Spirit' finished fifth overall and was just shaded into second place on the final leg. Individually, Colin amassed a magnificent £5,400 in sponsorship money for Save the Children, while the project as a whole raised more than £1million in total.

Colin joined up with the crew at Sydney, Australia, in early March after he being nominated to take part by his employers, Marconi communications.

From there he took part in three legs, voyaging from Sydney to Cape Town, South Africa, then on to La Rochelle, France, and finally on to Southampton.

During the gruelling journey, Colin experienced many highs -- including the thrilling finale, He told the Star: "We were racing so close to the finishing line with three of the yachts neck and neck, all going for first place. The competition was just fantastic".

But the intrepid voyager also revealed that he had some real lows. As well suffering from sea sickness initially, he was also concussed and injured a wrist. And he admitted that the stormy waters of the first leg of the trip left him terrified. "I don't think I'd do that particular ocean again", he said.

During the voyage Colin kept a log of his experiences, including some of the spectacular sights which he witnessed.

He said: "When we were stuck with no wind it was a chance to look round -- and what a sight -- a clear sky with millions of stars which looked close enough to touch. Then there were two shooting stars, one after another.

"Another amazing sight was the sea taking on a beautiful green appearance, as if someone had turned on a thousand fluorescent tubes".