A YACHT club is lamenting the loss of a buoy bought in memory of a founding member after it drifted away in high winds.

Brighton Marina Yacht Club is appealing for the safe return of the racing marker which honours late member John Rolfe who died in 2012 aged 75.

The yellow cone-shaped buoy was one of five fixed markers out at sea in front of the marina wall and cost around £2,000 to buy.

It is thought to have broken free from its anchor to the sea floor in stormy weather and drifted away last Tuesday.

Club members think it has washed up on the beach somewhere between Newhaven and Seaford and they are trying to track down someone who may have spotted it.

Rob Mclean, the yacht club’s vice commodore, said a woman contacted them saying she had found the object but the answer phone message she left cut off before they could hear her name and number.

Mr Mclean and the rest of the club are desperate to get back in contact with her, or anyone else who can help, so the floating symbol is returned to its position.

He said as well as sentimental value, the buoys are not cheap to buy and it is also a vital tool for seamen during the summer sailing season.

Mr Mclean said: “Rolfey was a prominent member of the club who was well-known in the fishing and sailing communities in Brighton and Shoreham. He was also a highly regarded builder and used to be in the merchant navy for much of his youth. He was one of the founding members of the yacht club in 1978.

“It is heartbreaking the buoy has been lost as Rolfey was a well loved guy and it is sad when you do something for someone and that is taken away.

“On a practical note its loss will dramatically affect the areas where people can sail in the summer season unless it is returned.

“We would love the buoy to be returned so we can clean it up and get it back out to sea but we will replace it if we need to.”

Anyone with information should call 07762 146343 or email appeal@bmyc.org.uk.