HERO sailor Seb Clover touched down on home soil this morning and declared he couldn't wait to get home to see his dog Bonnie and friends.

The Isle of Wight schoolboy made maritime history after becoming the youngest person to sail solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Seb celebrated his 16th birthday yesterday but said he had not received any presents yet.

He said: "I have spent the day in Antigua so that was quite enough."

Seb revealed the most difficult part of his epic voyage had been when his rigging broke.

He touched down at Gatwick Airport just after 6am this morning, accompanied by his father Ian and mother Dolores.

The family headed to their East Cowes home in a limousine where Seb was expected to take a well-earned rest.

He is due back at Ryde School on Tuesday where he will be greeted by classmates.

Seb said that he just wanted "to sleep in my own bed, have a bath and see my friends." He added: "They will probably take the mickey out of me."

His father, who also took part in the 2,700 mile challenge and completed the voyage a day ahead of his son, said: "It feels wonderful to be back.

"It has taken us three years to get here."

The pair set off from Tenerife just before Christmas in 32ft yachts, and Seb sailed into Antigua last Sunday.