AROUND 30 people turned out to celebrate the end of a Minehead teenager's long walk home last Sunday.

Josh Lee completed a 630-mile trek of the South West Coast Path from Poole back to his home town to be greeted by friends and family at the distinctive 'Hands' sculpture on the seafront.

Some had even walked the last few miles with the 16-year-old to show their support for his efforts, which netted an impressive £2,500 for good causes - including just over £1,000 from his grandmother Margaret Edwards who asked for donations instead of gifts for her 70th birthday.

The money will be divided equally between the RNLI, which helped Josh with his bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award , the 1st Watchet Sea Scouts, of which he has been a member for the past five years, and Minehead's Regal Theatre Lift Off Appeal, because it is a worthy cause.

Josh decided to embark on the trip after completing his GCSE exams to avoid the dreaded summer holiday boredom.

And the eight-week challenge, during which he mostly camped but spent the odd night or two in B&Bs and youth hostels, provided him with plenty of adventures.

The low point may have been the seven days of rain he had to endure - not all at once but on one occasion accompanied by 63mph winds.

But the high points included the friends and family who walked part of the route with him, the fun he had and the people he met along the way.

And the fish and chips, Cornish pasties and cream teas tasted also rated highly.

Josh's parents Rachel and John booked a family holiday in Cornwall to coincide with the walk, which allowed him to take a few hours off to enjoy some surfing.

The trek also gave him the chance to experience some stunning scenery in Dorset, with a geologist he bumped into on the Isle of Portland relating the history of the area and pointing out some pirate graves.

Josh was accompanied on the section from Dartmouth to Plymouth by his best friend George Howes and in beautiful weather the pair walked, swam, camped and enjoyed breakfasts in the open.

He rated the toughest part of the entire trek as a 14-mile hike over boulders and rocks from Pendeen Watch to St Ives but once past Hayle, the terrain was easier and the reward was several afternoons of surfing at Godrevy and Perranporth.

But despite enduring smelly and sometimes wet clothing, blisters on his feet and aching limbs, Josh is adamant that he has no regrets.

"I felt quite emotional when I touched the familiar 'Hands' sculpture in Minehead," he said.

"There were balloons, bunting and the popping if Buck's Fizz and after having loads of photos taken, it was finished - 680 miles in eight weeks and I was sorry it was over."

Josh has more than 800 photos and a blog to remind him of his adventure and he now faces the task of collecting the sponsorship money and giving a couple of talks.

"I'm really glad I did it and I'd definitely do it again - although probably in reverse," he said.

He's already planning his next challenge for the summer of 2011 - a walk along the coastal path in Pembrokeshire.

"This isn't the end, it's only the beginning and I've been left with a feeling that I can achieve anything."

Josh is pictured with family and friends celebrating the end of his long walk home.