SCOUTS and Guides in Marchwood are issuing a DIY SOS to builders, tradesmen and supporters in a bid to get their long awaited new headquarters up and running.

They risk losing vital funding for the building, which will provide a facility for the whole community to hire, if it is not complete by August.

The project has involved knocking down the old Scout hut on Lloyds Recreation Ground and replacing it with a new brick built hall that will accommodate a whole host of community groups including the Scouts and Guides.

The Scouts are currently homeless and meeting in various locations around the village while the Guides lost their home several years ago.

After successfully applying for funding from several major sponsors, they are now looking for help from the community in an effort mirroring the home transformation TV show starring Nick Knowles.

Jonathan Holmes, chair of the Scout and Guide Building Management Committee in Marchwood, told the Daily Echo: "Marchwood is a great place to live and work in and we want to get the whole community involved as this building is for everyone – not just Scouts and Guides.

"We know there are many skilled people in and around the Marchwood area and even beyond who could help us complete this project. The new building, which replaces an old dilapidated prefabricated hut, will be fully accessible and available for hire for a wide variety of purposes.

"The Scouts had to demolish their building when development began and the Guides have not had their own building for many years. Having a permanent building will mean that meetings will no longer be cancelled as a result of other events going on in their current meeting places and, with all their equipment on hand, opportunities for learning new skills can be offered on a regular basis."

The shell of the building is complete and watertight. Doors, windows and shutters are complete and first fix electrics have also been done. Some of the roof insulation has also been installed but organisers are yet to plasterboard over it.

Internally, the list of tasks still to do includes insulating the floor, installing underfloor heating, plastering, plumbing and electrics, as well as installing the kitchens, bathrooms and floor coverings. Stairs also need to be installed and the upstairs storage area completed.

Externally, drainage needs to be connected, a storm sewer moved, services connected, a path reinstated, landscaping done and a fire access road installed.

A list of volunteers and materials needed can be found on the group's website.

To get involved, visit marchwoodcommunitybuild.org.uk or email marchwoodscoutandguidehall@gmail.com.