All hands are on deck to make a pirate treasure hunt a new tradition in Deal.

The trail will lead around the town centre on Saturday, August 24 and has been organised by Rotary Pirates Deal, a new Rotary Club sub group aimed at attracting younger members.

Residents young and old can dress up for the day and forage for hidden clues which lead to treasure.

Rotary Pirates member Simon Pollard, 54, said: “We’ve taken inspiration from other towns like Rochester which has its Santa fun run.

“If you’re going to copy people, copy the best.

“We want to fill Deal town centre will people dressed as pirates all in the name of charity.

“We’re a seafaring town so we thought pirates was appropriate, and we’re hoping to make it an annual event.

“The more people we get going around Deal as pirates the better it will be. We’ll be raising the profile of Deal, the profile of Rotary and putting money back into community.”

There will be two trails. Maps will cost £3 for the shorter hunt, suitable for youngsters and families and £5 for a more complicated route aimed at older children and adults.

Each participant will collect the map from The Landmark Centre and timed from the moment they leave. Start times are 11am and 1pm.

Treasure will be awarded to the winners including prizes for the best dressed in a presentation at 3.30pm.

Money raised will be split between Deal Rowing Club and Walmer Sea Scouts.

Rotary Pirates has existed since April this year and currently has eight members. There is no age limit to join and new members are welcome.

Mr Pollard said: “The main drive behind Rotary Pirates is to lower the average age of Deal Rotary members.

“The average Rotary Club age is above 80 so if Rotary is to continue it needs new blood.

“It’s difficult for people especially those who are working to get along to a club which runs from 12.30pm until 2pm on a Monday lunchtime, so we exist at hours that are suitable to members.

“The next meeting is arranged by those at the current meeting. It’s generally every two to three weeks, late afternoon or evenings.

“You’ve just got to want to give back to the community that we’re a part of.”

Find out more by searching @RotaryPiratesDeal on Facebook

Anyone who wants to get involved or to donate a raffle or treasure prize, contact Simon on 07970414784.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal