A club which teaches children the value of the great outdoors will have to close down if new volunteers are not found soon.

Dozens of children turn out every month to learn how to rub bark, cook international food on an open fire and spot creepy crawlies on Wimbledon Common.

Wimbledon Times:

Young nature lovers learn how to safely cook on an outdoor fire 

It holds sessions on beekeeping, building insect hotels and creating leafy headdresses for youngsters and their families.

Co-club leader Alison Pelikan has left her voluntary role at the Wimbledon Common Nature Club, and co-founder Auriel Glanville said she will be forced to close the popular club by the end of the year if a replacement is not found.

Wimbledon Times:

The nature club members make a shelter in Wimbledon Common

Ms Glanville, who set up the club 10 years ago with Ms Pelikan, organises a programme of activities every month for children aged six to 14-years-old.

She was nominated for a Merton Civic Award, organised by the Wimbledon Guardian with Merton Council, this year for her work inspiring young nature lovers.

She said: "We are looking for a co-club leader and an assistant for our 10 year-old club, both voluntary positions.

"If you have a love of nature and children we would very much like to hear from you. We need someone to help develop our educative and fun yearly programme and to present some of the sessions, also a person to register the children as they arrive with their families.

"Unfortunately, if we cannot find a co-club leader we will sadly have to close the club at the end of the year, despite it being so successful."

To find out more, contact Ms Glanville on 020 8540 6154, 07837 910 072 or email auriel.glanville@btopenworld.com