BIRMINGHAM may be among the country’s most landlocked points – but these inner-city kids are rapidly becoming salty sea dogs.

The Sherbourne Sea Cadets are learning nautical skills, sailing and water sports and going on adventure training, thanks to a £795 grant from Sport Relief.

Around 40 young people, aged from ten to 18, meet on Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings, on the corner of Pershore Road and Dell Road in Cotteridge.

Commanding officer Dave Rawlinson applied for the grant in 2010 and bought a double kayak, two paddles and two spray decks, when it was granted.

The group is part of the UK’s largest nautical youth charity, with 9,000 volunteers supporting 14,000 cadets in 400 towns.