by Alex Hoad

A local sailing club has been boosted by a £50,000 grant to help pay for a new access ramp to the beach.

Seasalter Sailing Club, near Whitstable, applied for Olympic legacy funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund and was informed of the payout on Tuesday.

The 60-year-old club has raised more than £20,000 towards the cost of rebuilding the access ramp over the sea defence wall in Faversham Road, but the shortfall has been made-up by National Lottery funding.

The wall was built following floods in 1953 and cut-off the club’s access to the beach, prompting a temporary ramp to be used to provide boat access to the beach.

Despite repairs over the years, the ramp has become dilapidated and a new, wider, less-steep version is planned.

Club Commodore, Chris Stafford, said: "We are delighted to have secured this investment award. Poor beach access is a problem to less able members and youngsters, which prevents people joining the club and taking an active part in our wonderful sport.

"We have tried to minimise membership fees to encourage families and the less well off to have access to sailing in our local community and the cost of the project has been beyond our financial capability.

"It is cornerstone to the club’s development to complete this project."

Vice Commodore, Ian Mills, added: "Despite raising £22,500 from membership and local business partnership funding we remained a long way short of the necessary funds for the work.

"This award enables us to now undertake this key development work. We are very grateful for the very positive assistance of our local MP, Julian Brazier, Mark Dance and Chris Metherell from KCC, and Canterbury City Council, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Marine Management Organisation."

Julian Brazier, MP for Canterbury said: "This investment is fantastic news. The north Kent coast has always had a strong sailing tradition and this money is an investment in families and potential sailors of all ages for today and for the future.

"We look forward to seeing the club going from strength to strength with its improved beach access."

The club aim to complete the work during the winter to minimise disruption to members and the public alike.