A community council member has issued an urgent appeal for storage space.

Tom Sumner, from Burley Community Council, is desperate to find a home for the growing amount of equipment used in a variety of village schemes.

He said: "Since its formation in 1976, the community council has gone from strength to strength but along with all its success have come problems because it doesn't own any property or land for the storage of items that it owns."

Mr Sumner said this situation had become a major problem and it was only because of the goodwill of local business owners and residents that the community council had been able to cope so far. "We have a flagpole stored in a garage in Main Street, china mugs in a major office building and 1,600 earthenware mugs in a garage. The ducks for the annual duck race are being moved to an address in Station Road," he said.

"It is a major task keeping track of all the equipment we currently own.

"And further storage is needed for replacement fence panels that are kept in case of damage to the village centre safety railings and various other items." Mr Sumner now wants to hear from anyone who has an empty spare room that could be used by the community council.

He is also looking for volunteers to get their hands dirty working on the village green.

He will be on site between 9am and 1.30pm on Saturdays.

Call him on (01943) 862940 for more details.

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