Click here to see our picture gallery from the Clipper race

THOUSANDS of people lined the banks of the River Mersey to watch the end of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht race on Saturday.

Crowds, including many friends and family of crew members, braved thunder and torrential rain to welcome home the 10-strong fleet after their 35,000-mile journey.

Cannon fire and huge cheers from onlookers marked each of the yachts crossing the finish line into the Albert Dock, from where they had begun last September.

Sailing majestically in the final race winning order, the largest cheers were reserved for the Liverpool 08 boat.

New York was first to cross the line. The New York entry won not only the final leg race, but also the overall title, and two Liverpudlians were among its winning 17-strong crew.

Hull and Humber and Glasgow: Scotland with Style completed the podium, before the crowds exploded with cheers and frantically waved flags as Liverpool 08, came into view in 5th position.

Francesca Liggett, the wife of 41-year-old Peter Liggett, on board Liverpool 08, started crying as she held the hands of their three children.

She said: “It’s been a fantastic day and it’s emotional seeing him again on the boat. We’ve been following his progress on the internet and we can’t wait to have him back home.”

Others waiting at the dock side included the mother of New York’s skipper Duggie Gillespie – who had set off flares from the bow of his boat when it crossed the finish line in the early hours of Saturday.

Mrs Gillespie, who had travelled from Scotland, said: “Liverpool has given the boats a great reception. I think the city’s wonderful and you don’t do things by halves.”

Liverpool 08 skipper Ben Galloway, the first off the Liverpool 08 boat, said: “I don’t think you can sum up what it’s like. It’s an incredible feeling coming home and a massive experience for me sailing into Liverpool.