MEMBERS of Oxford's largest and oldest rowing club are preparing to celebrating its 40th anniversary - and plan to name the newest addition to the club's fleet Ruby to mark the occasion.

The City of Oxford Rowing Club, based at Donnington Bridge, has been at the heart of the River Isis since 1968, and long-standing members are calling on youngsters to ensure the club keeps going for another four decades - and beyond.

Club captain Chris Thomson said: "We are certainly the largest and oldest club in the city, outside the University of Oxford.

"We have had a good year in terms of results.

"Now we are looking forward to the summer, hopefully without the flooding.

"It's fantastic to make 40 years.

"It helps us boost members and get more people on the water and taking some exercise."

Trustee Bill Platt, 68, who has been with the club since its formation, said its success was down to input from members.

"What you put in, you get out," he said.

"The club started off with just men and then in the early 1980s we started to take women.

"In fact, now we have more women than men."

Membership has grown from under 50 to about 200, with members aged 11 to 90.

ORC chairman Jim Drohan said he was proud to be chairman during the anniversary year.

Mr Drohan said: "Our club's strength is that we have quality athletes from the men, women and junior squads and all work together for club success.

"It is run by the members for the members, with all coaching delivered by qualified volunteers."

The anniversary will be marked by a special celebration on April 26, when the club's newest boat, a quad for junior members, will be officially named Ruby.

The boat, which cost £8,000, was funded by club donations and Oxfordshire County Council.

Last month, another boat-naming ceremony took place.

The Hissmeister was named in memory of club stalwart Paul Hiscock, who died in 2006.

Mr Hiscock's friends, colleagues and family funded the boat.