YOUNG sea cadets who were left in limbo after their minibus was stolen and set on fire last month are now back on track with a new set of wheels.

The 46 members of Stroud Sea Cadets had set themselves a target of raising £3,000 to replace the 14-seater bus, which is used to take the youngsters to competitions and training events.

But their dilemma is over thanks to a generous offer from Wycliffe College.

Ian Allan, chairman of the sea cadets, said: "We have bought a bus from Wycliffe College at a very favourable price. They were very helpful about it."

However, staff and members are still keen to fund raise in order to maintain the vehicle.

"We still don't know how much the insurance company will pay out and it takes a long time to sort out," said Mr Allan. "In the mean time, it's got some cosmetic damage and we need to raise money to keep it running."

Commanding Officer Leila Jeffries said having the bus stolen was very disheartening.

"We weren't looking to replace it so we weren't prepared and had no funds available," she said.

"We are a charity so we have to find money ourselves.

"The cadets are really getting involved in fund raising and are planning on going on sponsored walks, doing sponsored silences and having none uniform days at school."

The bus will be used to take the cadets aged 10 to 18 to competitions, training sessions and activity days.

Thieves took it after breaking into the cadet base in Bath Road, Stroud on Friday, November 23.

It was later discovered near Winston's ice cream factory on Rodborough Common burned out and the damage was put at £6,000.

Miss Jeffries said the sea cadets, which began in Stroud in the early 1960s, and similar organisations are important for young people's development.

"It teaches them all sorts of group activities, to socialise and team work," she said. "It also gives them new skills while teaching them discipline."

The group has organised a Christmas raffle which will be drawn during the cadet's carol concert at St Lawrence's Church which starts at 7.30pm on Thursday, December 20.

Raffle tickets are available from the unit in Bath Road on Monday and Thursday evenings.

* For further information about the cadets call 01453 755141 or visit www.stroudcadets.co.uk