THE historic Gipsy Moth IV yacht has returned to Greenwich after an extensive restoration.

The Princess Royal was on hand on September 7 to rededicate the vessel made famous by Sir Francis Chichester, who completed the first solo circumnavigation of the globe in 1967.

The boat was restored after years of neglect in dry dock at Greenwich by the UK Sailing Academy following a campaign by Yachting Monthly magazine.

The Princess was joined at the ceremony by record breaking round-the-world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur and Ginnie Chichester, daughter-in-law of Sir Francis.

As part of the 40th anniversary of the circumnavigation, the Gipsy Moth IV will set sail from Plymouth on September 25 to take part in the Bluewater Round the World Rally.

For more information on the boat, which is to become a sail training vessel, visit gipsymoth.org