MARLOW Sea Cadet Corps believe they may have turned a corner in their struggle to prevent the unit closing.

The group, based at The Old Band Hall, Wethered Road, Marlow, has been fighting to survive in the face of falling numbers.

But they feel they may have won half the battle because their numbers are up from last year from nine to 14, and have also won a series of Sea Cadet competitions.

The unit hopes the final push to success will come when they go on a recruitment drive at the Marlow Town Festival and Regatta tomorrow, having bought and refurbished a caravan.

Lieutenant Carol Hale, the Commanding Officer of TS Apollo, the Marlow Sea Cadet Unit, said there were many benefits of joining the Sea Cadets and the unit should not be closed down.

She said: "We do try to put the fun into Sea Cadets. I have got really good staff down here.

"Usually after the first couple of months you find the new cadets making friends and coming out of their shells."

She added that the unit had to raise £4,000-£5,000 with some donations being made anonymously. Uniforms and boats, as well as some training courses are provided by the Royal Navy but everything else has to be funded by the unit.

Cadet Caroline Thorley, 16, has recently returned from a course on board HMS Bristol.

She said: "It is good because you get a lot of discipline and confidence. I used to be very shy and now I have come out of myself."

Marlow town councillor James Campbell added: "I hope they rescue the situation and I hope they continue." The unit will know whether it can continue after a Royal Naval inspection on July 3.