A FAST-GROWING local conservation group, set up 28 years ago, now has a record number of members.

After many years when the Shoebury Society had an average of 50 members, it now has now 110, the group’s committee has been told.

The committee still includes four founder members, chairman Michael Dedman, secretary Brian Sandford, treasurer Caroline Gibb and Keith Bailey.

Mr Dedman, who lives in the historic South Shoebury Hall, recalled the group originally met at the then historic former boxing gym behind the old Shoebury Hotel, where famous fighters trained long-ago.

Nowadays, its monthly meetings are held at St Peter’s Hall, for talks and film shows. It also organises visits to places such as the Wallasea Island Wetland Reserve and Essex Wildlife’s Belfairs Woodlands Centre.

The committee is considering putting up conservation plaques to local buildings of historic importance.