Fancy taking up a new hobby in the New Year? How about a sport that will help get you healthy and give you an unimaginable view of the world beneath our seas?

Scuba diving is always associated as being a warm weather holiday sport – or being extremely dangerous and not for the faint hearted.

But North Ayrshire Divers are out in the Firth of Clyde, and sometimes further afield almost every week so it’s definitely a sport than you can do here at home.

If you’ve ever fancied scuba diving now is the perfect time to try it.

From January 4, the club are looking for new members. They train on a Thursday evening at Auchenharvie Swimming Pool between 8 and 9pm with our lectures in Minard House on Princes Street. 

Then by Easter, you should be ready to hit the open water.

The club is currently comprised of male and female members from a range of age groups.

As well as diving regularly, there is a great social element to the club where they regularly catch up and even organise trips away together.

The qualifications you will gain are through ScotSAC and are internationally recognised.

Branch diving officer Craig Perkins said: "If you can dive in Scotland you can dive anywhere.

"Through our lectures, pool training and experience open water you will become a competent and confident diver and be able to discover a whole new world beneath the waves."

The club will be running their Try Dive sessions from January 4.

Craig said: "This is where we would go through the elements involved in aqualung usage, kit you up and get you into the pool to let you experience what it’s like to be able to breathe underwater."

Try Dives cost £15. You must be 18 years old in order to join the club (they can take younger if joining with an adult also taking up diving).

So if you fancy giving scuba diving a go please get in touch with the group on 07775 538542 or go to www.northayrshiredivers.co.uk to arrange your Try Dive for more information.