A UNIQUE tall ship will open her decks to the public when she stops off in her home port of Southampton tomorrow.

Visitors will be given the rare chance to climb aboard to enjoy a free tour of the Jubilee Sailing Trust's ship Tenacious.

The purpose-built vessel enables able-bodied and physically disabled people to share the challenge of crewing a tall ship at sea.

A vintage shuttle bus service will run every 30 minutes during the day from the WestQuay shopping centre, near the entrance by Waitrose, to the docks.

Charity spokesman Alistair Thompson told the Daily Echo: "This is a unique opportunity to have a glance at a magnificent tall ship which has been designed to give people of all physical abilities the chance to sail on equal terms.

"This is Tenacious's home port so we are really calling on the people in the area to come and support their local charity."

Shadow minister for Disabled People Jeremy Hunt enjoyed a tour around the ship yesterday.

Over the past 25 years, the trust has taken more than 26,500 people to sea, including 10,500 people with physical disabilities and 4,000 wheelchair users.

Tenacious, built at Woolston and launched in 2000, has many special facilities that enable disabled crew members to take an active part in the running of the ship.

Tenacious has wide decks for wheelchair users, a speaking compass to enable blind people to helm the ship and a power assisted hydraulic steering for those with limited strength.

The success of each voyage depends on teamwork and working with individuals' strengths with everyone on board getting a vital role to play irrespective of ability, disability, age or gender.

Volunteers and trust officials will also be at WestQuay shopping centre throughout the day to launch its Eye Patch Campaign 2006.

The national fundraising appeal is designed to raise money and awareness for the Jubilee Sailing Trust.

For more information on the Jubilee Sailing Trust visit www.jst.org.uk.

l The vintage bus service will run from West Quay every 30 minutes, from 10am until 3.30pm, with the last tour of Tenacious starting at 3pm.