Keen sailor David Shepherd is on the lookout for shipmates to join him on his sailing adventures.

Having sailed the seas for more than 30 years, he wants to spend even more time on the water now he has retired.

But the 71-year-old is looking for some company on board his beloved boat, which he spent two-and-a-half years renovating.

He has even put an advert in the Express & Star offering people the chance to sail the Channel with him.

The charming appeal reads: “Sociable sailing companion sought. For Channel cruising July to September. Old wooden boat, even older local skipper.”

The father-of-three, who lives in a village near Stafford, said: “I keep myself very busy but I have now reached the point where I have more time on my hands and when I get a good forecast I think it would be lovely to go and sail off for two weeks or so.

“But when I ring my friends, they have often arranged to do something else or it’s not a convenient time for them.

“I have got lots of people who enjoy sailing but they are often not available. I want to create a small group of people who, whenever I’m going to do some sailing, I can ring and they can come with me.”

Mr Shepherd fell in love with sailing on a flotilla holiday to Greece about 30 years ago.

His 10 metre-long mahogany sailing boat, which can take four people, has travelled to Ireland, France and Greece.

Now Mr Shepherd wants to use his spare time doing what he loves most.He is looking for people who know how to sail and would be able to cope should they run into choppier waters.

“I’m trying to find someone interested in improving their sailing experience or using what they have already got to travel further afield,” he said. “I just want to enjoy some time on my boat with some good company.”

To contact Mr Shepherd, write to Box Number P16021, Express & Star, Queen Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1ES.a