Greater Manchester Challenge is a gaff rigged ketch and was designed as a sail training vessel to take young people to sea. For many this would be their first experience of being afloat.

She was to be constructed by largely unskilled hands donated by the Manpower Services Commission and the young people of Greater Manchester. Built on money raised by public donations the steel hull was transported by road from Liverpool and the project completed in the old Crossley engine sheds before launching at Salford Quays (now Media City) on the Manchester Ship Canal.

In 1983 the project was the first to emerge from the newly reformed Laurent Giles design practice which had restructured as a result of the retirement of the remaining partners who had worked under Jack Giles.

Greater Manchester Challenge has accommodation for sixteen cadets and three officers. She was designed to class as a Board of Trade Class XI Sail Training Yacht, she served for many years as the North West boat for the Ocean Youth Club (see also design numbers 0950 and 1056) before being sold to the Morning Star Trust and re named Morning Star.