SCUBA DIVING: Wyre Forest folk will be able to plumb the depths next month with the help of a thriving town group.

Stourport Dive Club are not going to duck their responsibility to the local community after a £3,500 National Lottery grant helped them buy new equipment.

They have organised a free try-a-dive day at Stourport Leisure Centre on Sunday, September 8, as a thank-you.

Five friends formed the club in 1979 and it has now progressed to 30 full-time divers along with social members.

Their experienced committee includes dive supervisor and instructor Dave Lees who joined six months after they started and professional instructor Nick Wright.

Vice-chairman Mike Burley was recently given a gold award, the highest accolade, for service to the region's diving scene.

And members hit the headlines in 1986 when they helped rescue a family stranded on rocks in bad weather and cut off by the tide.

The club's Paul Bartle said: "Scuba diving has changed dramatically over the last 23 years.

"This means the diving techniques, personal equipment and satellite wreck-finding systems have all improved during these years."

Anyone interested in trying a dive can arrange a time by calling John Carmichael on 01562 753637 between 9am and 6pm.