A GROUP of young sailors is sending out an SOS - to keep its headquarters afloat.

Middlesbrough Sea Cadets need to raise £650,000 to turn a dilapidated park lodge into a suitable base.

Their plans for the derelict East Lodge, in Middlesbrough's Albert Park, have won the support of Middlesbrough Borough Council.

The council intends to formally lease the lodge to the group.

But the land and buildings belong to the Albert Park Charity, which is administered by the council. So the leasing must first satisfy Charity Commission requirements.

Once a lease is signed, the Sea Cadets will be able to apply for the Heritage Lottery fundin necessary for the project.

That money would be used to transform the building, and add an extension to include a drill hall, kitchen, showers and an outdoor decked area.

The building would be converted into classrooms and offices, to be shared by community groups.

Liz Chambers, chairwoman of Middlesbrough Sea Cadets, said: "Our present, temporary base at West Lodge is only really suitable for about 20 cadets. This new building will allow us to have 50 or 60 cadets.

"It's going to take a while to do it all, but if we get the people of Middlesbrough behind us, we will do it.''

The launch of the appeal has special significance, as the Middlesbrough Sea Cadet unit came into being 65 years ago.

Mrs Chambers said: "Once the building work is completed, the sea cadets will have a fine base from which to organise all our activities, and other community groups will also have a fantastic facility."

She estimates the cadets may have to raise £400,000 locally, with no more than £250,000 to come from the Heritage Lottery Fund - if their request for funds is successful.

Stuart Johnston, Albert Park manager, said: "This is a proposal which will benefit everyone. We get a derelict building renovated, the Sea Cadets have a permanent base and the community has a new resource.

"Everyone I have spoken to, including local residents, has been very supportive of the idea."