Dart Sailability Group exists to encourage anyone with a disability to take part and enjoy the sport of sailing on the beautiful river Dart.

Although sailing activities stop during the winter months, work has carried on to overhaul all the boats and get them ready for the forthcoming season.

The group's two keelboats, eight access dinghies and five powerboats have been cleaned and anti-fouled, all the outboard motors have been serviced, sails and ropes have been washed, and defects have been rectified. All is now ready to go.

DSG principal Mark Farries said: 'Thanks are due to the team of volunteers who have been coming regularly though the cold and wet weather of the winter to carry out this work.'

Meanwhile, some of the volunteer helpers have been undergoing RYA training to prepare for the new season, attending a safety boat course, a first aid course, and instructor's courses.

The sailing season starts on Saturday, May 18, at 10am and continues every Saturday and Tuesday morning from then until mid-September.

The group is keen to recruit new sailors with disabilities, especially those new to sailing who want to learn, as well as anyone who is an experienced sailor who would like to race with the group.

They also need more volunteers, especially to help on the shore, to receive sailors and get them ready to go afloat. No boating experience is required for this role.

Dart Sailability is a Royal Yachting Association centre of excellence and runs courses on sailing and power boating for sailors and volunteers.

Full details, including contact details, are on their website, http://www.dartsailability.org">www.dartsailability.org.