BRIGHTLINGSEA Sailing Club have been crowned as the Royal Yachting Association’s 2015 Club of the Year.

The Colne estuary club, also a finalist in 2014, received their award from the British sailing team’s Nick Thompson and RYA chief executive Sarah Treseder, at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show.

Brightlingsea were selected as the overall winner from five strong finalists, including Bury Lake Young Mariners, Himley Hall Sailing Club, Horning Sailing Club and Llangorse Sailing Club.

Alice Davies, from the club, said: “To be named RYA Club of the Year 2015 means so much to us and all our members.

“Everybody has helped so much to increase our activities behind the scenes and this is a fantastic recognition of everyone’s hard work.”

In 2011, Brightlingsea began their transformation from a racing-only club to an organisation that offers a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities, with introductory courses, racing, cruising and family sailing.

Last season, their participation rose by 20 per cent to reach an all-time high.

The club have also worked hard to welcome extra members by creating new branding and refreshing their website, also maintaining a strong online presence through Facebook and Twitter.

All five finalists were selected by the RYA honours and awards panel, who judged them on the range of quality and safe activities they provide, how they encourage people to get out on the water and good governance and club management.

Thompson, from the British sailing team, said: “For me, the biggest thing was hearing the achievements and hard work the finalists are doing to get new people into the sport and keep people who are already in the sport interested. I certainly felt pretty inspired.”