After raising more than £6,500, Scout leaders from the group are hoping that parish councillors will agree to give £5,000 towards the project when they meet tonight.

Bob John, Mildenhall Scout group committee member, said: "I really hope that the councillors do grant the money as it will benefit so many children not just in Mildenhall but from around the surrounding villages too.

"When we presented the proposals at an earlier meeting, they seemed very favourable to it."

In May 2004, Mildenhall Parish Council was forced to seal off an area of the water behind St Andrew's Street, where the existing jetty was, on safety grounds after parts of it started crumbling into the river.

Since then, Scouting groups from across the town have had to trek across the Jubilee Fields to get their canoes into the River Lark.

"The lads have done a lot of things to raise money and get this project going, including sponsored cycle rides and bag packing at Sainsbury's," said Mr John.

"We are planning to do more of these kind of events in the future. Lottery funding is also something we will be looking into as well."

The jetty and slipway, which will be built on a 30-metre stretch of riverbank, will be constructed in three stages, starting with the cleaning up of the area and the removal of the old pier.

Once this is completed, a series of wire-meshed boxes will be put in place to strengthen the bank and give a base for the wooden decking.

The new pier will also have a slip way built into it to give greater access to children who are disabled.

"If we had all the money now, the new pier could be built within a month, but as we only have limited funds we have to approach it in stages," added Mr John.