A TEESDALE homing pigeon club is hoping to revive its fortunes after receiving an unexpected cash windfall.

The number of members of Evenwood Workmen's Club's Homing Society has been falling for several years.

But officials are hoping that a National Lottery cash boost of £4,175 will help to rekindle interest in the village and attract younger members.

Club treasurer Alan Jackson made an application for a grant to the National Lottery Awards For All committee and last week was told the bid had been successful.

The money will be spent on equipment which will be lent to potential members to help them get started.

The purchases will include new clocks for recording the time when pigeons return home after a race, printers and a master-timer for the club.

Club member Roy Jacobs said: "We have picked up a little bit recently. We were down to six members at one time and now we are back up to nine, but when I started in the early 1970s we had more than 20.

"What is happening is people are not starting up because it is too expensive, but now they know there is a clock there for them to use we are hoping it might encourage more members to come into this local sport."

The club is hoping that younger villagers will come forward, but will be happy to accept members of all ages.

Mr Jacobs said: "Most of the members now are aged 50 plus and there are not many young people coming into it.

"Hopefully, it is there for them now if they want to get started, or even somebody who is retired and looking for a new hobby. We are over the moon to have got the money, because that is exactly what we asked for.

"If anybody wants to join they just need to come into the club and see the secretary."

The new season has started and there are races every week to the end of September.

Events can be anything from 60 to 550 miles in distance and prize money varies.

Evenwood members will be taking part in a national race from Brand's Hatch next week, which is expected to attract up to 10,000 pigeons from around the country.