A BOXING club that has trained youngsters for 35 years has been dealt a final knockout blow by its local council.

Bosses at Stockton's Impala Boxing and Fitness Club have been forced to hand over the keys for the Frederick Street building to Stockton Borough Council.

The authority said the club had repeatedly failed to meet statutory health and safety standards.

Club coach Chris Bailes was forced to hand over the keys after magistrates terminated his tenancy at the club.

Mr Bailes, who has worked at the club for 30 years, is now facing a future without the club he helped build up.

He said: "We have to hand over the keys, but I cannot bear to go down there anymore. It is so upsetting because I have put my heart and soul into that place.

"What is doubly galling is that the case was decided in my absence, without the council informing me.

"I received nothing from the court or the council, apart from the letter telling me we had lost the case."

The venue, formerly known as Stockton Boys Boxing Club, will be re-opened for another community use.

A spokesman for the council said the club's tenancy was terminated after bosses continually refused to tell them how the club was being run.

The council would not reveal the health and safety criteria at the club, but a spokesman said: "Mr Bailes has been told the criteria in writing more than once and it has not been met.

"It does not mean the club will cease to exist, only that the club can no longer occupy its current premises."

Mr Bailes is now in the process of trying to find alternative premises.