Teenager hits 1,000 mile landmark

Seb and Flash are currently in Scotland as part of the walk

A teenager who sparked a major search and rescue operation after stealing a boat and getting stuck is 1,000 miles into a sponsored walk to make amends.

Seb Green, 18, and a friend were found after a land and air search costing £20,000 when they got stranded near Weymouth Harbour, Dorset, in May 2004.

He decided to spend nearly a year walking 5,821 miles (9,367km) around Britain with his border collie Flash.

He is raising £20,000 for two charities so he can "pay back the community".

Mr Green, from Weymouth, was 15 when he and another teenager stole a rigid inflatable boat and became stranded in mud in Fleet Lagoon late at night.

Both teenagers began shouting for help and Seb got out of the boat to walk to safety, but became stuck up to his waist in mud. A passer-by heard their screams and called for help.

Seb and Flash give an update on their progress

The coastguard helicopter, Dorset Police helicopter, two coastguard land-based teams and two RNLI lifeboats were launched to rescue the pair.

In a bid to make amends he decided to walk round the country and is currently near Arbroath in Scotland - three months into his marathon walk - but has no plans to give up.

He said: "Physically it's been all right, but the weather has been the toughest obstacle, we've had it all, wind, rain, hail, sleet, snow and sun.

"I to be honest I don't quite know why I have undertaken such a huge task. I've realised the country is bigger than it looks.

Back for his birthday

"But I am committed to raising the cost of my rescue which amounted to £20,000."

He is sleeping under the stars in his tent for most of the trip.

The money raised will go to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Starlight Children's Foundation, a charity which grants the wishes of seriously and terminally ill children and provides hospital entertainment.

He and three-year-old Flash are following a route to Dover, along the Thames Estuary, up to John O'Groats in Scotland, before heading back south through Wales, Lands End and The Lizard in Cornwall.

He hopes to be back home in time for his 19th birthday on 30 November.