A community project to build two St Ayles skiffs to be raced on the River Great Ouse in King's Lynn has been launched after it received National Lottery funding.

The boats for the King's Lynn Coastal Rowing Club will be built from next month at TS Vancouver (by the new pontoons) on South Quay, with the first boat to be launched later this year.

The club's chairman Bob Panrucker said there were just 80 St Ayles skiffs in build in the UK and 50 more worldwide.

He said: 'After a year of planning and research we are finally ready to launch our club. We now have the funds, skills and logistics in place to build and get our first boat on the water this year.

'The National Lottery has given us the £6,500 funds to buy the kits and other materials to make the skiffs.'

The launch was attended by West Norfolk Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, Alistair Beales, who said the club could do much to help revitalise the waterfront.

The boats will be built by volunteers with associations, companies and groups invited to set up competitive or recreational rowing teams with the rowing club's help and support.

Launch evenings to meet the committee are on Monday, April 7 and Thursday, April 10, both at 7pm at The Crown and Mitre, Ferry Street, PE30 1LJ.

Are you launching a community project? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk