An infusion of new energy and enthusiasm is sought on the board of trustees at Sandwich Sports & Leisure Centre.

Following the retirement of long standing members, three vacancies have become available.

It’s prompted a hunt to recruit new faces to help invigorate the team and deliver the health and fitness service for future generations.

Founding trustee and former headmaster at Sandwich Technology School Roy Elliott said: “A trustee needs to represent the local community and their views.

“Our aim for the centre is for it to reach out and be available to all of the people in the northern part of the district, for all ages.

"It's an opportunity for people who are interested and to help us deliver it for future generations."

The centre is an independent charitable trust, owned by the trustees and managed by Freedom Leisure.

The trust supervises the management through monthly meetings, discussing items such as health and safety, maintenance, managerial efforts, finances and membership.

Trustee for more than two decades, Andrew Jefferson, added: "We've got trustees with specialist skills in architecture, accounting, and building.

"We aim to have as much of a variety of skills as possible.

"Somebody with a specialism in grants and fundraising would be particularly welcome to apply."

The centre has an integrated relationship with the adjacent Sandwich Technology School which is home to about 1,400 children.

Examples of their joint efforts include the installation of the artificial turf pitch and multi sports pitch less than a decade ago.

The new facilities were paid for by the trust but situated on school land.

Future improvements being considered include an additional studio for dance and martial arts, artificial pitch for hockey and a swimming pool - all of which the trustees feel would complement the facilities at the new Dover District Council which is set to open in early 2019.

Interested candidates should pass their name and number to manager Sarah Owen on 01304 614947.

Applicants would be invited to attend a meeting and work alongside the trust for trial period of six months.