A PETITION to save a historic gliding club from closure has reached hundreds of signatures.

Lakes Gliding Club has received a wave of support following news it would no longer be permitted to use Walney Airfield after more than 60 years.

BAE – who own and operate the airfield – have said they can no longer accommodate the club on the site following a review.

A BAE Systems spokesman said: “After undertaking a detailed review we have regrettably notified the Lakes Gliding Club that we can no longer accommodate them at Walney Airfield. We will work with the club and its members over the coming months and support them as they depart the airfield.”

The decision sparked backlash from the club’s members who described it as a ‘massive blow’.

One committee member, who has asked to remain anonymous, said the decision has been motivated by ‘incorrect information’ regarding two gliding accidents which happened last year.

The member, who has been part of the club since 1990, said: “It’s a big part of our lives. We’re having to sell all the club equipment as we can’t relocate. There’s no other gliding club in Cumbria at all.

READ MORE: BAE Systems gives Lakes Gliding Club notice to leave Walney Airfield

“This is a 90-year-old gliding club and they’ve shut us down just like that. I was there virtually every weekend. Members are going to have to sell their gliders and give up the sport, there’s nowhere else in the county we can do it.”

Simon Fell, MP for Barrow and Furness, hopes to find some brokered agreement with BAE which works for the club.

He said: “A few constituents have already been in touch regarding this, and I’ve had a brief conversation with BAE. I’m waiting for some more information from the gliding club before going back to BAE more formally and I hope we can find some brokered agreement that works for the club.”

Following the announcement, a petition has been launched online to save the club, which has already garnered more than 700 signatures.

However, members do not expect the petition to alter the shipyard’s decision.

“Unfortunately, we’re not expecting the petition to achieve anything. We’ve sort of accepted that we are going to go,” one member said.

“The restrictions [BAE] have put on us the last two years has meant the club was slowly going anyway. We were slowly but surely running out of money.

“It’s sad but we’ve come to the conclusion that this way is best rather than a death of a thousand cuts. We’re hoping BAE are going to be reasonable with us and give the club more time than three months to remove the gliders and equipment.

“We’re due to have a meeting with BAE very soon.

“The majority of the response from people has been really positive. It’s quite nice to see the local community is behind us.”

To sign the petition, visit https://www.change.org/p/save-the-lakes-gliding-club