The story of Kent quadriplegic sailor Hilary Lister’s epic solo journey around the UK is being shown on TV this weekend.

It will be a slightly shortened version of the feature film about Hilary which premiered at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre last July.

A biochemist with an Oxford degree and an accomplished musician, Hilary, 41, is paralysed from the neck down after suffering from a degenerative disease which first struck when she was 17.

She is ordinarily confined to her sofa at home in Dunkirk, near Faversham, able to move only when her carers are there, but is able to control her 20ft yacht by sucking or blowing through a set of tubes.

Although six times during the voyage around the UK she collapsed and was taken to hospital, she continued the journey, resulting in a nomination for World Sailor of the Year.

Hilary said: “When I am sailing it is as if I am flying. I am in charge of my own body. It’s a special freedom. I am really excited to see it being shown on television and I hope that it inspires people to go out and follow their own dreams.”

Hilary Lister: A Race Against Time is being screened at 6.30pm on BBC2 on Sunday, July 14.