A COMMUNITY project promoting physical activities in rural Exmoor has just been handed £120,000 of National Lottery funds.

And first on its wish list are sailing instructors.

Active Exmoor has been given the money to spend during the next three years. Sports development co-ordinator Mike Bishop, 33, said: "We are here to promote all forms of physical activity, from climbing and walking to short-mat bowls, skittles and rambling.

"But our first requirement is a team of ten dinghy instructors to teach youngsters sailing on Wimbleball Lake."

He is looking for already competent sailors who are willing to spend the summer training to instructor standard.

"Applicants must be keen and enthusiastic, with the skills to teach young people. We are not looking for beginners," he said.

Thanks to the award, Mike, a sailor himself, will be offering the instructors course at a knock-down fee of £100 instead of the usual £600.

"Applicants who successfully complete the course will get their money back," he said.

"Wimbleball Lake is under-used.

"We have the boats, but we do not have enough people to make best use of them."

Active Exmoor will be officially launched in April.