YOUNG sailing fans are set for a Lottery boost thanks to a grant from the English Sports Council.

The Nantwich and Border Counties Sailing Club has been awarded £12,400 towards an additional rescue boat and other equipment.

The full cost is about £19,088 but the club already has £6,688 set aside.

Delighted member Mr Peter Jones explained that the handout will enable the club to train younger members and also the district scouts who use the facilities.

The 45-year-old club has about 320 members and meets at Doddington Lake, between Stapeley Water Garden and Bridgemere Garden World.

Members come from about a 20-mile radius including Nantwich, Crewe, Alsager and Newcastle.

The club is one of three in the North West to be awarded part of £160,000 by the Sports Council.

Sheldon Philips, Sports Council Regional Director in the North West, welcomed news of the awards and said: "The voluntary sector is the backbone of sport in England, and the Lottery Sports Fund has invested in clubs such as these right across the country.

"This can only encourage sports participation in the future, and benefit not only coaches, officials and participants now and in the future, but also the communities that they serve."

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