A COUNCIL has threatened to sell a community boxing club's equipment on the open market following a year-long dispute.

The Impala Fitness Club, in Frederick Street, Stockton, was closed by Stockton Borough Council last year after a dispute about the lease and health and safety.

Club coach Chris Bailes has vowed to fight to re-open the club and young boxers in the town have joined in protests.

However, the premises have remained closed and now the council has told The Northern Echo it plans to sell the boxing club's equipment, thought to be worth thousands of pounds, on the open market

A council spokesman said: "There is equipment in the premises that we need to remove to enable useage for other community purposes. We have approached the boxing club and any of its known associates, but nobody has come forward for the equipment. The council is therefore making arrangements for the sale of the equipment."

Mr Bailes, who could not be contacted yesterday, has repeatedly called for the gym to be re-opened.

He said: "That gym and all the equipment belong to the people of Stockton, as far as I'm concerned. The council has no right to take it away from us. I've been inundated with parents asking about the club. Everyone in Stockton wants the young people to be in training, doing something useful, rather than roaming around the streets - that includes the lads themselves. This is a total disgrace."

The Impala Club had been at the site for about 12 years and before then in a building in Prince Regent Street for nearly 20 years. Hundreds of boys and young adults had trained at the club.

Stockton Borough Council said the club was evicted after the courts agreed it had not provided details of supervision, insurance or accounts. This has been disputed by Mr Bailes.

The council could not elaborate on what other community uses it wanted to use the building for.