Scout leaders hope a good Samaritan will light up their lives to prevent their group folding.

The 19th Brighton (Kipling's Own) Scout group cannot afford to make crucial repairs to its hut, which was damaged by vandals at Easter.

All ten windows were broken, fire extinguishers were thrown across the room, crockery was smashed and light fittings were ripped off the ceiling.

With the windows now boarded up and most of the lights not working, half the hut has been plunged into darkness.

Although Cubs and Beavers still use the venue each week, the group cannot hire it out during the weekends, meaning a loss of vital revenue.

Funds were running short before the break-in, with the group struggling to pay its annual fees to the Scout Association.

It has yet to pay last years' fees and will be forced to close unless it can find the cash.

Cub Scout leader and mother-of-two Sarah Clark, 31, said the damage to the hut in Old Parish Lane, Woodingdean, was not covered by insurance and there was no cash available to repair it.

Mrs Clark, from Peacehaven, said: "The room was once full of natural light and a great place to be. Now it's gloomy, like a rundown shack, with one end of the hall permanently in the dark. It reminds me of a prison cell.

"There is no way we can afford to do all the repairs and pay our fees to the Scout Association. We will have no option but to close. We feel like we are fighting a losing battle."

About ten Beavers, aged six to eight, use the hut each Monday and 18 cubs, aged eight to ten, meet there on Tuesdays.

Group fund-raiser Dawn Doherty, 34, from Woodingdean, said: "There is a fence just outside the hut which we are willing to offer as advertising space to anyone who can help us."

To donate items contact Sarah on 01273 587246.