TWO Bexleyheath girl guides sailed across the North Sea on board a yacht in a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Lucy Haslam, 24, and Charlotte Warrell, 18, were part of an all-guide crew who sailed on board the 72-foot ship for seven days between Hartlepool and Holland.

The duo applied to take part in the excursion, which was arranged by Girl Guiding North East, to allow young women the chance to experience life on the ocean.

On board, the pair hauled ropes, helped navigate after dark and even hoisted the sails up the yachts 95-foot mast.

Lucy, leader of the Second Barnehurst Guides, said: “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“Guiding gives people the opportunity to share experiences they wouldn’t get anywhere else, and I didn’t want to let this pass me by.”

Charlotte, a member of the Fourth Welling Rangers, added: “My grandad sailed from a young age up until a few weeks before he died at 95.

“He had a yacht of his own and told me about his experiences and when I heard about this trip I didn’t hesitate to apply.”