THEY may have been smiling at their fundraising coffee morning on Saturday, but 1st Beer Brownies are in desperate need of a new leader for their pack.

THEY may have been smiling at their fundraising coffee morning on Saturday, but 1st Beer Brownies are in desperate need of a new leader for their pack.

The Brownies and their Rainbow helpers ran the coffee morning at Mariner's Hall on Saturday morning, offering tasty homemade cakes.

If no-one is found before Christmas to take over the pack, which has been running in Beer for 80 years, it could be one of their last fundraising events.

Joan Hansford, who retired as pack leader more than a year ago, stepped in temporarily after Kay Short, the new district commissioner, who had taken over, had to retire at 65.

Joan says she would hate to see the village Brownies fold after such a long time, but as she has a business and grandchildren she finds it too hard to juggle everything and will be forced to close down the pack if a new leader is not found soon.

She said: "It's such as shame. All these years we've had a Brownies pack in Beer and if it closes it will have a knock-on effect on the Rainbows - they won't have anywhere to go."

Twelve Brownies meet on Monday evenings from 5.15pm to 7pm. Volunteers are also needed to help the leader and Joan believes it would be perfect for a group of friends to take on.

She said: "No qualifications are needed and you will receive training."

Call Joan on (01297) 21012 if you would like to help save the Brownies from disappearing from the village.