SURFERS gathered at a seaside ceremony honouring one of the founders of Bournemouth's surfing scene at the weekend.

Roy Macklin was one of the first to take to the waves in Poole Bay back in the 1960s, and the new sport was evidently of such concern to some that the council considered bringing in a ban.

However, Mr Macklin, who died on January 14, aged 82, was among those who set up the Wessex Surf Club in 1964 in a successful bid to prevent the prohibition.

Club members, along with Mr Macklin's family and friends, braved a chilly afternoon on Boscombe beach on Saturday for a Memorial Paddle Out - to remember his life and lay a wreath on the waves.

"We will be forming a circle near the pier, laying a wreath, and sending Roy on his last everlasting wave," said club chairman Gary Elford, 50.

"This is a long-standing tradition in the surfing community. Bringing people together as a mark of respect.

"He was a pioneering local surfer, one of the earliest in the area.

"I'm pleased to see young surfers here, it is important people remember what came before them, it is a way of keeping it alive.

"Back in Roy's day they didn't have fancy wetsuits, they had to make their own. It wasn't always so easy to surf."

Mr Macklin also served as club chairman from 1966-76. Other co-founders included his brother Cyril and Tony Beale of Beales department stores. Originally a keen water polo player, he only switched to surfing after a match was cancelled.

His life-long dream was to travel to Hawaii, and he got his chance just a month before he died from a short illness.

For more information on the club which Roy helped to create, search for Wessex Surf Club on Facebook or email wessexsurfclub@gmail.com. Also, the club meets every second Thursday of the month at Le Bateau bar in Ashley Cross, Poole.