A London Jewish businessman is celebrating after his yachting team won a trophy at the prestigious Fastnet offshore sailing race.

Richard Loftus, 68, who is a member of South Hampstead Synagogue and director of the Accurist Watch Company, captained a three-yacht team representing the Herzliya Yacht Club, led by his own boat, Desperado of Cowes.

The other two yachts in the team were Leopard and Uxorious. They won the Martin Hollingsworth trophy for the fastest three boats in the 300 boat fleet after completing the 600 mile race.

Mr Loftus, who celebrated with his crew with a kiddush of herring and vodka, said: "It is an honour to win a trophy for Israel and Herzliya in what is considered to be one of the world's most prestigious offshore races and I want to thank my crew of 16 and the crews of Leopard and Uxorious.

"As skipper of Desperado, it is nice to know that it's not only my family that thinks I'm a captain."