Sailors can now develop their skills further thanks to new funding.

The Lyme Regis Sea School Trust was awarded £3,500 by Lyme Regis Town Council to help purchase two large sailing dinghies.

The dingies, which can comfortably accommodate six children or four adults each, cost a total of £10,000.

The sea school, which is volunteer- run, teaches young and mature students to sail, with around 200 pupils a year taking part.

Jo Law, from Lyme Regis Sea School, said: "The sea school is delighted that the organisation was awarded a grant to pay for one of the two Laser Bahia dinghies.

"We were looking to replace some of our larger dinghies as we had some that were more than 30 years old.

"The grant from Lyme Regis Town Council has enabled us to do just that, and we recently took ownership of the two new Laser Bahias.

"We have also purchased two additional Laser Picos and a Laser 2000 from other fundraising activities.

"The dinghies are also used by local junior sailors at Lyme Regis Sailing Club for youth race training, regattas and other events, and by Woodroffe School students.

"We try to make sailing as accessible as possible to those who wish to learn to sail."

The school was presented the cheque for £3,500 at an evening sailing session by experienced sailor, Cllr Patrick Ridley.

Cllr Ridley said: "The council is very happy to support the sea school with this grant.

"The staff and volunteers work really hard to give the young people who attend their courses a really positive experience, not only for the physical enjoyment of sailing, but gaining self confidence in handling boats and being with other people.

"I know from my own experiences that it is vital for young people to mix with all generations, so much learning happens that way, for both sides.

"The council recognises the exceptional work the sea school accomplishes and we hope that this grant will enable this to continue."

The school was one of the nominated charities to benefit from the Tesco 'Bags of Help' scheme, which raised £4,000 to purchase new buoyancy aids for students and the second Laser Bahia.

The school is also a nominated charity at the Co-op store in Lyme Regis.
To find out more about the sea school, you can visit lrss.org