BLACKBURN Sea Cadets could face closure if it does not find a new base after costly repairs forced the group to move out.

The Mohawk training ship received a health and safety report that revealed nearly £200,000 would need to be spent to bring the base on Glenfield Park Estate up to scratch.

But as a voluntary group, leaders said they cannot raise the funds to keep the Philips Road building safe.

Former sea cadet Philip Garrett, who has climbed the ranks in the Navy to Warrant Officer after joining aged 16, today said it would be a disaster if the group had to fold.

Mr Garrett, 38, formally of Regents View but now based in Scotland, said: "It would be such a shame to see this go.

"It set me up for the career I have and Blackburn children will miss out on what they need for a career in the Navy.

"The discipline and skills you learn with the cadets is something you don't get anywhere else. It would be a really bad thing if they had to close."

The group had boasted one of the largest memberships for sea cadets in the country and has even received visits from the likes of Prince Andrew, himself a ex-Royal Marine.

But the cadets are now down to less than 30 members and have been forced to sell equipment, including boats, because of a lack of storage space.

The group's commanding officer, Lieutenant Gavin Redhead, said he feared the cadets -- based in Blackburn since 1964 -- would have to disband if a new base is not found.

He added: "We are in very real danger of losing a fantastic youth service in Blackburn. But we have to solve this situation or there will be no future."

The cadets have been using another base in Enfield Wharf, Blackburn Road, Clayton-le-Moors, to hold Tuesday and Friday meetings over the last six months. But Mr Redhead said the move had almost halved its membership.

He added: "This just cannot continue. We need to make it suitable for everyone in Blackburn to attend. Some members come from deprived areas and they cannot afford to travel.

"Also we have one of the highest levels of youth in Blackburn and we contribute to keeping the youngsters off the streets helping the issue of anti-social behaviour."