A popular running club is hoping that the support of the public can help them over the finish line as they bid to buy their training ground.

The Bungay Black Dog Running Club, which takes its name from Suffolk's mythological 'hell hound,' is aiming to raise £30,000 to buy its own training ground – the appropriately named Bungay Area Running Centre (BARC).

However, with the club's tenure at the site under threat as the landowner wants to sell the ground, club officials are hoping that the friendships and supporters that they've made over the last 30 years will boost them in their pursuit of raising sufficient funds.

A well-supported loan appeal to Bungay Black Dog Running Club (BBDRC) members, together with a bid to win the public votes that would trigger a contribution from the Aviva Community Fund, are among the routes being pursued towards a target of about £30,000.

BBDRC chairman Robin Ashe said: 'We have our fingers firmly crossed in the hope that people will vote for our project and bring our dream of a home that is truly our own a little closer.'

Club membership numbers have swelled to more than 300 adults and 80 juniors since they moved to BARC at Pirnhow Street, just outside the town, three years ago, but now its tenure is under threat.

Mr Ashe said the purchase of the land would help improve the quality of life in a rural area by providing 'excellent and safe training facilities for runners of all ages and abilities'.

However, he warned: 'Unless we are able to buy the site, there is a significant risk that we will no longer be able to train on it as the owner wants to sell it. If we are unable to make the purchase, the future of the club will be severely prejudiced.'

If the fundraising is successful, the club hopes it will be able to improve facilities available by eventually installing an all weather track and, for its junior members, a long jump pit.

Mr Ashe added: 'Our club is proud of its inclusive ethos, providing excellent training to both beginners and elite runners.

'For instance, we hold two eight to 12 week training courses a year for beginners, with each of those sessions introducing more than 30 people to running.'

For further details about the purchase of the club's training ground project visit www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/voting/project/view/17-4031