AN amateur boxing club is challenging council landlords to find it better premises.

Officials at Spennymoor Boxing Academy say they have outgrown the gym at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, which they have used since 1991.

They are now calling on Sedgefield Borough Council to "come good on promises" to move the club to bigger facilities.

The council plans a series of developments at the centre, which include converting the squash courts into a bigger gym for the boxing club.

But club secretary Paul Hodgson and director of coaching Robert Ellis feel the move is no closer than when first discussed two years ago.

The club recently secured an Amateur Boxing Association grant for a 20ft ring, but the gym can only hold a 14ft training ring.

Mr Hodgson said: "We could have Olympic 2012 hopefuls, but their progress is limited because we're stuck in a broom cupboard.

"We have 23 registered boxers, but they cannot practise in our new competition ring because it won't fit.

"Our 100 young members are exactly the residents that most need council support.

"We're keeping them off the streets, out of trouble and instil respect and values in them.

"We've been promised these facilities for a long time so we can make the most out of the club's potential, but feel we're in danger of becoming a forgotten tribe."

Mr Ellis says he is so disillusioned with the delay that he is considering leaving and fears the club would fold without him.

He said: "For two years, we've been fobbed off. Every meeting we have with the council we think we're getting somewhere then there is some other reason for a delay."

A council spokesman said the authority remains committed to supporting the club and expects work at the leisure centre to be done as soon as possible.

He said: "We have been in constant contact with Mr Ellis and kept him informed throughout with proceedings.

"We will have another meeting to reinforce our decision to move the boxing club and if they still have concerns they can ask for meetings and updates."