By JOEL SAWYER

THE outcome of extension plans for the Arpley landfill site will not be plain sailing, now that a 150-year-old club has sharpened its pencils to battle the scheme.

Members of Fidlers Ferry Sailing Club are opposing 3C Waste's plan to massively extend the tip because, they claim, it would take the wind out of their sails and kill off the club.

Despite losing a lot of sailing space to Gateworth tip, the group, which has around 118 members, has managed to make use of a stretch of canal which still has enough wind for sailing.

But now the club fears that 3C Waste's plans will force it to shut up shop after a century and a half.

Jack Cox, club secretary, said: "When Gateworth tip was made we managed to find an opening which goes right across and that is where we are sailing at the moment.

"But if this extension to Arpley landfill goes ahead that will be blocked off and will kill the wind, which will devastate our club because you can't have a sailing club without any wind to sail in."

Members of the town's Agenda 21 waste group held a special meeting last night, Wednesday, to discuss the finer details of an objection campaign to battle the extension plans.

"A few years ago we had a battle with the Manchester Ship Canal Company over the bridge across to Gateworth tip to make it raise it by 30 feet, so we could sail under it," added Mr Cox.

"It looks like we're sharpening our pencils for another battle now."