A Southampton charity providing sailing adventures for disabled people has been forced to close.

The Jubilee Sailing Trust has been struggling financially for a number of years due to high running costs, a fall in revenue and the impact of the pandemic.

The trust says it needs £150,000 a month to operate its tall ship SV Tenacious and neither voyage sales nor fundraising efforts have been successful in getting the funding.

A spokesperson for the Jubilee Sailing Trust said: “Although this situation is immensely upsetting for all involved, we hope that you can be proud of all that you, our supporters, have helped to achieve with both Lord Nelson and Tenacious since their launch.

“Without you sailing as voyage crew, volunteering on shore or onboard, and helping raise funds and awareness of what can be achieved in an enabling and accessible environment, we would not have been able to work directly with 56,728 disabled and non-disabled people during this time.

“You brought our mission to every continent, including Antarctica, and provided everyone who has been part of these adventures with memories of a lifetime.

“You have helped shape corporate and social responsibility programmes for companies of varying sizes and industries.

“You brought our mission ashore and have made a profound difference to the lives of people of all abilities, ages, backgrounds and circumstances in your schools, offices, and personal networks.

“From all at the Jubilee Sailing Trust, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of this amazing journey.”

The announcement comes after one of the charity's two subsidiaries, Jubilee Sailing Trust Ltd, went into administration in August last year.

Earlier that year, the trust said it had failed to secure financial help from the government and would not survive unless it raised £1.2m by end of September.

Founded in 1978, the Jubilee Sailing Trust organised adventures at sea for people with disabilities or learning difficulties. It relied entirely on donations and subsidised berths for voyages.

The Charity Commission is due to decide whether the charity might be able to operate in a different manner in the future.