IT is the end of an era. Due to lack of funds the Northwich Sea Cadet unit has been forced to close.

Two years ago the Guardian reported how the unit, based at Navigation Road for the past 60 years, desperately needed help to stay afloat.

Probationary Petty Officer John Trangmar had until October last year to turn the fortunes of the group around but it now seems as if his bid was a futile one.

TS Witch, the cadet's training ship, has been deemed unsafe and the unit closed after a lack of funds and officers.

The cadets tried to raise money by regularly collecting around the town but unfortunately this was not enough.

John said: "It became more and more difficult to organise fund-raising activities as support from parents and officials was not always forthcoming."

The cost of repairing T.S Witch is estimated at between £50,000 and £100,000, as the super-structure of the ship needs a great deal of attention and the entire ship needs repainting with special rust-resistant paint.

So TS Witch is up for sale and waiting for a buyer before it can be moved from its current home on Navigation Road.

When sold all proceeds will go to maintaining TS Portland, the Winsford and Middlewich branch which the Northwich cadets have merged with.

The Sea Cadets have a long history in Northwich with the first affiliated group established in 1942 after gaining recognition from the Admiralty.

The training ship TS Witch was first used by the cadets in 1947 when Northwich hosted a battleship week on the River Weaver. Prior to this it had been used as a cargo ship carrying soda ash and salt.

The first cadets used a wooden hut in Leicester Street for their meetings and it was only in 1986, 40 years later that this hut was demolished.

This left the cadets with no permanent base and, as a charity organisation which receives no funding from the parent group, they had to use a temporary structure near the training ship for their meetings.

In 1986 Lieutenant Commander Booth bought TS Witch from ICI to act as a permanent base for the Northwich unit and it was used every week until September last year when it closed.

Over the past 60 years the Northwich Sea Cadets have seen over 2,000 youths pass through the doors.

John Trangmar said it would be sad to see the unit close.

"This could be a big loss to the youth in the community," he said. "It's a shame but a lot of money would have to be spent to make the unit viable again. It will be a sad loss to see it go."

The last cadet to leave the Northwich outfit was Scott Clarke, 14, from Weaverham, who was also nominated as Northwich Cadet of the Year, a title he will hold indefinitely.

John, Scott's commanding officer, said: "The cup was given for Scott's dedication and loyalty to TS Witch over the last two years."