Thirteen-year-old Laura Dekker who wants to embark on a two-year solo sailing trip around the world succeeded earlier in crossing the North Sea alone twice, her lawyer has confirmed.

Ms Dekker sailed her yacht in May to Lowestoft in the UK. When local police detained her to prevent her from making the return trip, her father came over, promising to sail with her. But on the quayside, Mr Dekker said his daughter would be able to sail across alone, and sent her off.

Read more: Solo-sailing Lara was in British custody