EVERY club and pub on Teesside has been thrown a challenge in a bid to help raise £650,000 to revamp a youth group's new headquarters.

Middlesbrough sea cadets is facing the massive task of raising the cash, but is hoping licensed premises across the area will lend a helping hand.

The group, named TS Marlborough, has been given planning permission to transform East Lodge in the town's Albert Park, which will enable it to take additional and disabled members.

However, it needs a huge amount of work, and an extension, to bring it up to the required standard where the sea cadets can train, drill, learn and practise their teamwork skills.

Unit chairwoman Liz Chambers said fundraising began a couple of months ago and they have already raised an impressive £36,000.

However, much, much more is needed.

"People are always moaning that kids and young people don't do anything, but good causes like the sea cadets need supporting," she said.

"We have 20 members now - young people aged between ten and 18 - but once we have a new base, we will be able to take many more.

"The Army and Air Cadets are supported by the Ministry of Defence, but we are not. We are a registered charity, so we really need the community's support.

"We thought that if every pub and club in the area took one or two of our collection tins, we could raise the money so much more quickly. They could even do a raffle for us. It doesn't have to take a lot of effort."

The unit began in Middlesbrough on September 14, 1942, and will be marking its 65th birthday with a raft of fundraising activities.

However, on September 13, the Bishop of Whitby will be conducting a service when TS Marlborough will revert to its original name of TS Erimus and be affiliated to the town of Middlesbrough.

And on September 16, the unit will be organising a Battle of Britain near the Cenotaph in Albert Park from 11.20am.

"We are appealing for as many people as possible to support us so we can get a permanent base that enables us to take more youngsters and children with disabilities," added Mrs Chambers.

To assist with the fundraising, or to buy tickets to a fundraising evening at the Royal British Legion on Park Road North, Middlesbrough, from 7pm on September 24, call Mrs Chambers on 07708-020128, or Sue Nicholson 07865-007664. Tickets for the night cost £1.