CENTRAL Coast Ukulele Club is going from strength to strength.

The Erina-based club has doubled its membership each week since it was formed a month ago. There are now 80 people on the mailing list and 25 attend weekly meetings.

Founder Liz Kitney, a musician, singer and songwriter, is a member of the band Mirrabooka which includes ukuleles in its act. The other members of the band became the club’s first members.

“The ukulele has re-risen and a new phenomenon is occurring with stores not being able to keep stocks up due to its popularity,” Ms Kitney said.

“It is affectionately known as the people’s instrument and it’s making a comeback with more and more people of all ages taking up the four-stringed instrument.”

Ms Kitney said professional players like Jack Johnson and Train, who featured the ukulele, had reintroduced it into the mainstream. “You can’t help but smile when you pick up a ukulele.”

The club meets 6.30pm every Wednesday at Macron Music Erina and wants a northern venue. Details: centralcoast ukuleleclub.wordpress.com/ or 0412 837 008.