The 75-year-old motor sailor Sheemaun has been named as the flagship of the UK’s 1,200 National Historic Ships.

This is the first time the honour has been bestowed on one of the UK’s heritage fleet and was given to Sheemaun for her “wide-ranging public summer cruising programme”.

In the new role, Sheemaun will take part in rallies both here and in France, including the Mayor’s Thames Festival Classic Rally in London in September.

National Historic Ships, which is sponsored by the Department of Culture Media and Sport, is the official voice for historic vessels in the UK.