WATERSPORTS enthusiasts in West Devon are being asked to dig deep and donate to help two homeless watersports clubs at Weir Quay.

Any money donated will be used to buy a piece of land for two popular clubs.

Chair of the joint Weir Quay Community Watersports project Peter Key said: 'We are desperately trying to raise the money to buy a piece of field which we can use to create a new base for the Tamar and Tavy Gig Club and Weir Quay Sailing Club.

'Donations of any size and from all members of the community will be very welcome.'

Peter said both clubs did a great job of getting young people out onto the water and expertly training them in sailing and gig rowing.

'We lost our old clubhouse two years ago when the lease could not be renewed. Since then the clubs have worked in difficult, inadequate and insecure circumstances.

'The new facility is especially important for this youth training and it will secure the future of both clubs.'

The commodore of the sailing club and the chairman of the gig club have now written to all club members appealing for donations.

Peter said: 'If everybody could give £130 we'd be there.

'However, we can't expect the youngsters to have much to donate and plenty of other people are having a difficult time because of the general economy. So we are appealing to everybody in the community who loves the waterside to give something.

'This is for the community as a whole. It is not just healthy exercise, important though that is, but activity on the water is a special aspect of our vibrant local community. We don't want to lose it.'

Peter said planning permission would be applied for very soon but they need to be in a position to buy the land as soon as it is granted.