A club getting youngsters active has become a ‘victim of its own success’ - so its leaders are appealing for somewhere to store its kit and help meet the rising demand.

Sidmouth Herald: Dave Manley with members of Sidmouth surf life saving club for the start of the new season. Ref shs 6440-19-15TI. Picture: Terry IfeDave Manley with members of Sidmouth surf life saving club for the start of the new season. Ref shs 6440-19-15TI. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Membership of Sidmouth Surf Life Saving Club has trebled since 2013 and there is a 40-strong waiting list to join.

It leases The Esplanade’s Arches from Sidmouth Town Council, but it is not big enough to store all the surfboards and other kit, or the trailer used to move it all.

Club manager Dave Manley said: “The town council has been very supportive of the club, allowing us to base ourselves at The Arches and helping us, through their community grants, to purchase our gear trailer.

“However, we are desperate to find a permanent space to store the trailer in the summer months and a secure location in winter to keep our equipment safe and well maintained.

“This is vital to the logistics of running the club and without it we will not be able to expand our membership.”

The lifesaving club’s recipe of making fitness fun and teaching youngsters how to read the sea and stay safe has proved popular since it formed in 2013. Dave said it now has so much kit it can no longer fit into The Arches. The town and district councils’ searches for a storage space proved fruitless, so he is reaching to out to the community.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Dave on 07714 303065.