A WINSFORD man is appealing to old friends for a reunion of his scuba diving club.

Fred Challinor, 68, set up Winsford Diving Club in 1976, and has been a keen diver and instructor for 50 years.

The dad-of-three began his passionate hobby at just 18, after being introduced to the sport by a work colleague.

He was then an apprentice at Crewe Works, the railway facility, and joined as a means to take his mind off work.

Fred has since has dived all over the world with friends and family He now remains the only member of his club, as a result of members retiring, passing away or moving on to pastures new, but he continues to dive regularly.

Fred is now appealing to all of his former diving friends to get in contact with him for a potential reunion. The former locomotive worker said: “When I got introduced to it, I took it up right away, I had always been a strong swimmer and it just appealed to me.

“I’ve dived all over the world with my friends and my wife and it just became such a massive part of everything we did.

“I hope to carry on for as long as possible, I enjoy it so much because when you’re under the water it’s just exhilarating.

“I’m the last of the bunch left around here but I’ve got some wonderful memories including discovering a Second World War bomb which was exciting enough in itself.

“It would be great if anyone who has been involved over the years could get in touch and we will have a reunion.”

Fred is putting out an appeal to all former members of the diving club to get in touch with him on 01606 862344.