Clevedon Pier bosses have praised the ‘hugely important’ role that its team of volunteers plays in the running of the attraction.

The pier currently has around 30 volunteers who carry out a variety of jobs including ticket sales, cleaning and visitor information but bosses hope to expand the workforce to 75 over the coming years.

Simon Talbot-Ponsonby, chairman of the pier and heritage trust, said: “Volunteers play a hugely important role and are a vital part of what we are doing.

“When we relaunch, our plan is to take on two more members of staff, one of whom will be responsible for the volunteers.

“Volunteering is a two-way thing, they give their time and we will commit to training them and making it as interesting as possible.”

The team of volunteers also works closely with the four full and part-time paid members of the trust to ensure that the Grade I-listed pier is safe and clean for the thousands of visitors that arrive all year round.

Volunteering has been a major part of the pier’s life since its potential demolition in 1979, with the team also providing help and support to the benefit of the community, including keeping the toilets in The Beach open.

Roderic McNeill, pier volunteer, said: “Three or four full or part-time paid employees of the trust work assiduously together with the volunteers to keep the pier and associated shop, offices and cabin clean, open and safe for the visiting public 364 days per year.

“Last year the trustees also agreed that the nearby toilets are to be kept open and maintained rather than let the council close them.”

Volunteers are now helping out with the promotion and running of the community share scheme which will continue until November 14, with the scheme’s total currently standing at more than £118,000.

To find out more about volunteering click here