A 17-year-old from Woodford Green will return to the waters where he learned to sail to accompany the Olympic Torch.

Joseph Butterworth, of St Barnabas Road, will pilot a dinghy alongside the motorboat carrying the Torch across Fairlop Waters, Barkingside on Sunday.

The former pupil at Trinity Catholic High School, Mornington Road, Woodford Green, will use a vessel from Fairlop Sailing Centre, where he first took to the water aged nine.

After the procession, he will head to Austria to further his own sporting ambitions.

On Sunday, he leaves to represent Great Britain in a youth category in the World Championships of the 420 dinghy class.

Mr Butterworth, who is currently studying for his A Levels at an Ipswich school where he won a sailing scholarship, said: “I’m really looking forward to it, it’s a great opportunity.

“As I’m away during the Olympics, it’s nice to play a part in the build-up.”

He is also set to compete in the Junior Euros in Italy and at the National Championships in Torquay this summer.

The talented sportsman receives a grant from Redbridge Council to help with his sailing costs.

A team of sailors who have represented Redbridge in the London Youth Games will also be heading across the water in dinghies as part of the relay.