A GIRLGUIDING group is appealing for space to store its camping equipment before they are forced to throw it away.

Manningtree District Girlguides has a shed full of camping gear, currently stored in a former leader’s garden.

With the leader now retired, new accommodation for storage must be found.

Michelle Stimpson, Elmstead division commissioner, fears the group will either have to blow its funds on £1,000-a-year storage space or get rid of it all.

She said: “I asked Tendring Council for garage space but it said it was not able to offer us a garage as it is ‘primarily offered for storage of vehicles’.

“I might just have to pay for it, but we only have enough money for one year - we would have to fundraise to pay for each year of storage or get rid of it all.

“All the money which we spend on storage is money which we could have spent on the girls.

“If I had the space, I’d store it myself, but I don’t have a garden to store it in.”

Paul Honeywood, councillor responsible for resources at Tendring Council, said he sympathises with the group, but described the request as too onerous.

He said: “We have a waiting list for garages from residents who want to store vehicles in them and that has to be the primary use for our garage stock.

“We support a number of Guide and Scout groups with storage space from our property assets team, and though we have nothing available in the Lawford area at this time if we are able to assist we would gladly do so.”

Manningtree District Girlguiding has approached a number of storage companies, but these have all been unaffordable.

Anyone who can help should email michellestimpson@ rocketmail.com.