ROWING races could soon become a permanent fixture along the West Somerset coast after a fledging Minehead rowing club was given £5,000 to buy its own boat.

The Channel Rowing Club was founded towards the end of last year by five Minehead men, four of whom are members of the town's lifeboat crew.

What started as a good idea over a pint in the pub ended up in a boat in Devon as the men were bitten by the racing bug after taking part in a sea race in Teignmouth.

They officially formed the Channel Rowing Club in October and were loaned a French Seaboat by Exmouth Rowing Club.

Word spread and before long the club had 25 members. A second boat was borrowed from Exmouth and the club decided it was time to try toget its own vessel.

Members got together to put in an application for funding from the National Lottery Awards for All scheme towards the £6,000 cost of buying a new boat.

This week, club members were officially given a £5,000 grant from the National Lottery, but are now hoping to make the money go further.

"We've been given the option of buying the two boats we've been loaned from Exmouth, but we've got to write to the Awards for All people to make sure they're happy with us doing that," said founder member Phil Sanderson, pictured on the right with fellow members, from the left, Jeremy Steed, Gareth Jones and Paul Marsh.

"The whole idea is to get two boats to enable us to take part in races around the area.

"We're doing quite well at the moment and Watchet Boatowners Association have said they might be interested in setting up their own club so that could mean we have regular races between the two towns," Mr Sanderson said.

He added: "Minehead Sailing Club has also been particularly good to us and very supportive, helping us get the club off the ground."

The French Seaboats are smaller and cheaper versions of the gigs favoured by Cornish coastal racers. They seat four men plus a cox and are designed especially for sea races.

Anyone interested in joining the club, which is based at Minehead harbour, may contact Mr Sanderson on 01643 706642.