IT was all aboard The Henry Wood this week as modern day pioneer Melvin Magnall finally set sail on his 5,400 mile journey to America.

The voyage of discovery had to be postponed by 24 hours because of a severe weather warning.

On Tuesday (April 25), the Tottington builder and his crew upped anchor and sailed from Glasson Dock, near Lancaster, to recreate the journey of 17th century Quaker Henry Wood who sailed to the USA in 1682 to escape religious persecution.

He had his family later founded the settlement of Woodbury in New Jersey which is Melvin's ultimate destination.

Despite being unable to sail from Albert Dock in Liverpool as originally planned, Melvin (62), was upbeat before he left on the first leg of his journey.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't leave from Liverpool because of the bad weather," he said.

"But now everything is OK and we are looking forward to getting away." Prior to the trip a short service was conducted on the sloop by the vicar of St Anne's Church, Tottington, the Rev Hugh Bearn. He blessed the boat, named The Henry Wood to commemorate the man who inspired Melvin to embark on his trans-Atlantic adventure.

Roy Melluish, friend of Melvin, said: "Melvin is a professional. All the checks have been done and nothing can go wrong with the boat."

The crew carried out an emergency drill off Hollyhead on Wednesday before sailing to Portugal.

"The drill went very well. The only fear is if the crew come across a whale or an oil drum which would just be bad luck."

The journey will finally end on July 1 when Melvin will sail up Woodbury Creek in a canoe to deliver two original stones from Wood's family home at Brookhouse Farm, Tottington, to civic fathers.

This will signal the launch of a one-week festival involving a contingent of 350 Bury representatives who will by flying out for the "Sailing in the New Millennium" celebrations.

After being denied Millennium funding for his trip, Melvin sold his house and invested his life savings to buy the sloop.

He also received £10,000 sponsorship from a number of local businesses, including the Bury Times, to fund the trip.

The Bury Times will keep readers updated throughout Melvin's journey.