SPIRALLING compensation culture could be to blame for dwindling membership at a lifesaving club.

Weymouth Canoe Lifeguards is desperately in need of adult volunteers but chairman Damian Lockie thinks a fear of being sued could be preventing people coming forward.

He said: "People are afraid of our culture of suing people and I think it has affected volunteers coming forward to help us because we give people first aid."

The club, which used to boast more than 100 members, is now down to 15.

Mr Lockie, of Puddletown, said that as over-18s have left the group to go to university or pursue new interests, few people had been replacing them.

"If we do not recruit some new members the club is going to fold and Weymouth will be without a longstanding and very valuable organisation forever," he said.

Weymouth Canoe Lifeguards provide cover for about 40 water events every year including triathlons and sea swims.

The group is funded solely through donations and fundraising events and used to be the only lifesaving service on Weymouth beach until the RNLI set up there - another possible reason for its low membership.

Member and coach Alan Hale, of Fisherbridge Road, Preston, said: "We celebrate our 40th anniversary next year and it would be such a shame to see the club lost after all that time."

He has been a member of the club for about 16 years.

"There is a good social element to the club, but what most of us get out of it is feeling you are helping the community.

"But it seems to have gone out of fashion to be a volunteer these days."

Anyone aged 14 or above can join Weymouth Canoe Lifeguards and recruits are trained in paddling, fitness, first aid and resuscitation skills. There is a waiting list for the Rookie section of the club, which caters for 10 to 14-year-olds.

For more information, or to join the club, contact Mr Lockie on 07889 172555.