A DIVING club, founded in the days when frogmen still took the plunge in woollies, is celebrating its 40th birthday.

The call has gone out to former members to celebrate the Darwen branch of the British Sub Aqua Club's colourful history at a reunion dinner.

Treasurer Pat Kay said: "Things have changed a great deal over the years and we are keen to get members old and new together for the reunion.

"The person we would all like to see on the night is Sidney James Knowles, assistant of the infamous cold war diver Commander Buster Crabb, who taught many of the founder members. "But, like his boss, he too seems to have disappeared without trace!"

The club, which started with just a handful of men, now boasts 50 enthusiastic members who met each week in Darwen Leisure Centre.

Pensioner Jack Farnworth, a member of the club between 1958 and 1970, added: "Diving has changed completely over the last four decades.

"When the club was first started, we were sometimes drafted in to help with police searches because they didn't have divers.

"Our suits cost the equivalent of the price of a car these days, so we often had to make do with home-made ones."

The dinner will take place on Saturday at Whitehall Hotel and Restaurant, Darwen. Tickets cost £20. For further details ring Pat Kay on 01254 53097.

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