THE future of a Weymouth Sailing club has been secured with the news it will move to one of the area's prime waterfront locations later this year.

Castle Cove Sailing Club will move from its present base on Old Castle Road to the former Weymouth Sailing Centre on Sandsfoot beach in time for the 2003 sailing season.

The move - just a few hundred yards down the road - solves the club's space problems and means it can develop a wider range of sailing activities. The club has sailed from Castle Cove beach since 1923.

The present clubhouse and car park have been sold to developers. The site has outline planning permission for nine flats, approved by the borough council in 2001.

Commodore Alec Asker said: "It is very good news for the club. Our future has been secured. We have signed the contracts to sell the present site and buy the new one.

"It is at the members' request that we've done it and we're now looking forward to a rosy future."

He said the site had been sold for development but could not reveal the new owner's identity.

Vice-commodore Bob Turner, who has been spearheading the relocation plans, said: "It means we can expand the dinghy activities, which have been constrained by lack of space, and open up further opportunities for sailing within the area.

"It's also to the benefit of the community because the sandy beach that we presently sail from will be less obstructed. It's a very positive move for the club and for the local community."

Club forward planning committee member Hugh de Iongh said the new site was already designated for use as a marine centre and no major planning permission would be needed.

He said there were plans to share the Sandsfoot site with present users the Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre.

Sailing centre spokesman Jeremy Lane confirmed contracts had been exchanged.

He said: "We're delighted. It's a great opportunity for Weymouth. It's taken a great deal of effort on everyone's part to bring it to a conclusion but Weymouth is going to be the beneficiary, as well as sailing generally in the area.

"They've now probably got the best facilities of any sailing club in South Dorset."