SCOUTS in Burnham are appealing to the public to help them win funding to repair their building.

The group says it is desperate to fix or replace the leaking roof of its centre at the BASC Sports Ground in Burnham but it needs to find £20,000 carry out the work.

About 90 Scouts, Beavers and Cubs use the hut to meet their friends and learn important life skills.

They have been fundraising for more than a year to gather the cash required to fix the rapidly deteriorating roof and so far they have around £5,000.

The group has now been entered into a competition run by chocolate company Mars which is awarding cash to local community groups every week.

But they need people to vote for them online.

If successful, 1st Burnham Scout group will be given £300 towards their roof repairs.

Group chairperson Sarah Rendell told the Weekly News: “We’re encouraging people to vote for us and they can do so several times by using different email addresses.

“The roof is wearing out. It has been for a few years but now the rust has been getting into it.

“A lot of the paint on the ceiling is starting to peel off and we need to replace but it is a difficult roof to replace and expensive.

“It could threaten the future of the group if the roof is not fixed because we would not be able to use the hall.”

To vote for the Burnham’s Scouts visit www.galaxyhotchocolate.com/galaxyfund2014/profiles/1st-burnham-on-sea-scout-group or if you can help the group further, contact them via their website www.burnhamonseascouts.org.uk.