YOUNG boxers and officials protested yesterday at the closure of their boxing club.

Stockton's Impala Fitness Club, which has been training boxers for more than 30 years, will close next Thursday.

The closure follows a protracted legal fight with Stockton Borough Council, which resulted in club bosses being told to return the keys.

Council officials took out a court order on the Frederick Street club after it said health and safety regulations were being flouted.

In a final blow, it was revealed that the club's rent had not been paid since August.

But club president Dave Rennison, who joined more than 20 protestors outside council buildings yesterday, said they had been backed into a corner by the council.

He said: "The club coach, Chris Bailes, has put in 33 years, unpaid, for this club and this is how he is treated. In any other walk of life the council would be hailing him as a local hero."

Club officials are meeting solicitors to discuss a possible appeal against the Teesside County Court judgement that transferred possession of the club to the local authority.

A spokesman for the borough council said the club had occupied the building unlawfully since the lease was terminated in August last year.

He said: "We welcome the court's decision which, in effect, reinforces the possession order.

"The council did agree to extend the date by which the club must give up possession to June 26."