Woodstock Divers club is fighting to stay afloat in the face of a sinking membership.

The group has been taking to the water for more than 40 years, but the economic downturn has seen numbers plummet.

Nick Williams, of St Michaels Close, Sittingbourne, a member for 12 years, is appealing for “new blood” to take the plunge.

He said: “The economic climate and the lack of money around has affected our membership over the past two years.

“We could close if numbers don’t pick up as it costs £1,000 a year just to hire the pool for training.”

The group, which is currently 16 strong, trains once a week at the Swallows leisure centre swimming pool.

Diving doesn’t come cheap, and new members will have to pay £250 to join for the first year, and about £150 annually thereafter.

Enrolment includes membership of the British Sub Aqua Club and training in all aspects of diving as well as water safety.

Those under 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult, but there is no upper age limit.

“We’ve got people diving at 70,” the 49-year-old said.

As well as the weekly training sessions, which take place every Wednesday from 9pm to 10pm, the club organises diving trips throughout the year.

Nick said for that reason, it’s important the group needs new faces to sign up.

He said: “We’ve been to the Red Sea and places closer to home such as Dover,
Plymouth and Swanage.

“But for each trip, we need at least 10 divers to fill a boat, so the more members we have, the better trips we can organise.”