CANOE clubs which have been evicted from their home fear they could be 'snuffed out' if they cannot secure more funds.

Kingfisher Canoe Club and its youth group Pathfinders have renewed a heartfelt plea for donations after failing to secure a £21,000 grant, which could mean they are unable to afford a new spot on the River Thames.

The Abingdon paddlesport groups were asked to leave from their premises in Wilsham Road and recently won planning permission to build a new home at Rye Meadow, owned by South Oxfordshire District Council, they have secured a lease from, but are £20,000 short of cash they need to set up the site.

Pathfinders' lead coach David Surman said the clubs were 'hugely disappointed' to miss out on a hefty grant from the Aviva Community Fund despite public support.

He said: "It leaves us in a critical condition. Hundreds and hundreds of local people both young and old have taken up and developed through the activity, and it would be a tragedy if anything were to stop this.

"If we cannot resolve this situation there is a very real danger that our 45-year tradition of community canoeing will be snuffed out."

The clubs received 8,668 public votes for the Aviva grant and made the shortlist but only secured a £500 consolation prize.

Kidlington resident Mr Surman, 67, said: "We are applying left, right and centre for different funds and hoping for sponsorship from members of the public and businesses.

"We need to move very quickly - if we don't have a site the bottom line is we can't continue."

He said building could start with the cash they have but there is a risk they could run out of steam before the summer season starts, adding: "We can't afford to lose momentum."

The club's current home is owned by Vale of White Horse District Council but operated by a private leaseholder, whose identity Mr Surman did not want to reveal.

He said the clubs were evicted 'through no fault of our own' but would not say what it was. They must move by April.

They have so far raised £20,000 towards a total cost of more than £44,000, which includes the legal expense of acquiring the new lease.

Among donors who have agreed to help is centuries-old charity Christ's Hospital of Abingdon, which pledged £4,600 to buy two of the five units needed to store canoes and kayaks.

Michael Matthews, the charity's governor in charge of grants, said: "It's our duty to support the people of Abingdon. We do feel that as Abingdon is on the river it's important to acknowledge that and take care of it, and this club is helping that."

For more information about donating, contact Mr Surman by emailing davidsurman@hotmail.com.