A MAPLAS club is closing after more than 40 years due to a lack of new members.

The Malpas Field Club was first formed in 1980 for people who had an interest in local history, natural history and the countryside.

It would often organise eight indoor talks, three outdoor meetings, a guided walk, a visit to a place of interest and outdoor activity.

But it has now been forced to close because its membership is ageing and it has struggled to recruit younger members.

David Hayns, the retiring honorary secretary said: "All the committee members are getting older now and we could not get others.

"So, we decided to close it.

"We have been running it for 40 years, so not a bad run."

It its early years there were sub-groups for younger people, natural history recording and local history research.

The final meeting was held in 2020 prior to the first coronavirus lockdown.

Mr Hayns added: "The final meeting was held in March 2020, after which the first coronavirus lockdown brought an end to activities.

"All of the club’s assets have been transferred to Malpas Community Links so that they can be available to support future events, activities, new organisations or other initiatives beneficial to the community of Malpas and district."