A HISTORIC archery club is appealing for help in its search to find a new venue.

The Gentleman and Lady Archers of Darlington club, which is believed to have been founded in the 1600s, will lose its regular meeting place when Larchfield Sports Centre closes later this year.

The club has now been left with the task of finding a suitable venue to relocate to, which needs to be at least 25 metres long and ten to 12 feet high.

The venue will also have to accommodate about 20 people and have storage space.

Eiann Cosgrove, from the club, said members were keen to find a suitable venue before the start of the new indoor archery season, in October.

"Although we have got a bit of time until then, we want to start the search early to avoid being left without anything," he said. "This is part of a long tradition in Darlington, and archery seems as if it is becoming more popular lately, perhaps because of films like Lord of the Rings.

"We are very keen to find somewhere where we can get settled before the start of the new season."

Anyone who knows of a suitable low-cost venue to rent is asked to contact Mr Cosgrove on (01325) 730528.