The 17-year-old, from landlocked Hertfordshire, became the world’s youngest round-the-world sailor on Thursday -- and yesterday he returned to dry land and a hero’s welcome.

Thousands lined Portsmouth’s docks to cheer him as he covered the final stretch of sea on his 30,000-mile journey.

A Guinness World Records representative has certified Perham is now the youngest person to sail around the world, setting off last November aged 16 and having become 17 in March.

The teenager said he was "overwhelmed" by the number of people who turned out to greet him as he cruised into the home port he has dreamed of reaching during the past 10 months.

"I was close to tears when I came round the corner and saw the crowds," he said. "It was incredible, I am overwhelmed and honoured.

"I hope this will be an inspiration to other people and lots of other kids can also go out on the water."

Perham, from Potters Bar, crossed

the finishing line between Lizard Point and Ushant, France, on Thursday. Yesterday he sailed his Open 50 racing yacht, Totallymoney.com, into Gunwharf Quays, where he set out on November 15 last year.

A steel band provided a soundtrack as his mother, Heather, hugged and kissed her son, before the Guinness World Records official handed over his official certificate. His sister Fiona, father Peter and girlfriend Beckie Knight were also there for the homecoming.

He had previously set the record for being the youngest person to sail solo across the Atlantic, achieving this in January 2007 when he was 14.

During his world voyage he battled 50ft waves, gale force winds and numerous technical difficulties. He had no fridge and had just a camping stove to cook on board.

He explained how the adventure had changed him. "I always dreamed of the finish -- that is what kept me going," he said. "I feel different, I feel a little more mature and will probably tackle things with a bit more grim determination.

"It has given me a thirst for adventures, to go out there and live life. I am going to go bigger and better. I am already thinking of lots of other different adventures, not necessarily on the water because there is a whole world out there to see."

His mother added: "Mike loves hugs, like most people, and hadn’t had that from us since Las Palmas, just before Christmas." Perham originally set off aiming to complete the challenge non-stop, but technical problems forced several stops for repairs, meaning his world record is the youngest solo circumnavigation with assistance.

His voyage took him via Portugal, the Canaries, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Panama Canal after he missed the weather window to sail around Cape Horn, off South America.

To satisfy the requirements of the world record, the circumnavigation has to cross the equator and every line of longitude.

The previous youngest person to complete a similar voyage was American Zac Sunderland, who was two months older when he finished his voyage last month.