IT was all hands on deck at the official opening of Blackburn Sea Cadets’ new base yesterday.

A brass band played as cadets dressed in full regalia paraded in front of local dignitaries at the new HQ.

TS Mohawk, the new £135,000 brick building in the Somme Barracks, in Moss Street, was opened by the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Peter Milehan.

The site, including classrooms, main deck area and training office, was blessed before being declared open by Commanding Officer Julie Redhead.

Officer Redhead, said: “It has taken us a long time to get here and we are really pleased that it is finished.”

The building has been named after HMS Mohawk, as the Blackburn unit was ‘adopted’ by the ship in 1964.

She said: “The liaison with HMS Mohawk was extremely close throughout the lifetime of the ship and many close and lasting friendships were formed.

“We trust the unit’s future stability is assured and we shall continue to be a rallying point for all Mohawks in future years.”

Previously, the group met at the TA centre at the Somme Barracks under a temporary arrangement after having to leave their previous base off Philips Road in 2005 due to the need for costly repairs.

In June 2008, the cadets were left in turmoil after being told by Blackburn Council that they could build a new base as long as they knocked it down in five years.

Council bosses granted planning permission for a prefab-style centre on condition that it be demolished by 2013.

The decision was taken by an officer from Blackburn with Darwen Council who said the building should be classed as temporary and that its appearance was not right for the area.

And the cadets – people aged 10 to 18 who are taught the basics of Navy life and activities such as rock climbing and canoeing – were forced to a brick design which will not have to be demolished.