IT was the end of a long hot day at sea aboard Watchet charter fishing boat Scooby Doo Too, and skipper Steve Yeandle was convinced he was seeing a mirage two miles off Porlock last Saturday evening.

“How else do you explain seeing what looked like a woman standing on a plank in the middle of the Bristol Channel?” Steve said.

Steve and his fishing party went to investigate - and what they found was environmental campaigner Cal Major on the latest leg of a never before attempted 1,000-mile journey by sea from Land’s End to John 0’Groats on an unescorted stand-up paddle board.

“When we reached, her we found she was very well equipped with a radio and safety equipment and was paddling along in fine style.

“We asked if she needed any help but she said she was fine and had a support team waiting in Watchet.”

Cal’s ‘Paddle Against Plastic’ challenge is designed to highlight the dangers of marine plastic pollution along the length of the UK coastline. She is also raising money for two charities.

Buy the Free Press for Cal’s story.