BOXERS searching for new premises are pinning their hopes on council help.

Shildon boxers turned to their town council for help after they found themselves with nowhere to train at the beginning of the season.

However, plans for a permanent new facility, which would also provide a venue for other sports clubs, have received a setback.

Councillors had agreed that Boddy's Buildings, in Association Street, were an ideal venue for the boxing club.

The town council put in a bid for the premises, which are owned by the Christian Life Church, but it has been told by the district valuer that the building has structural problems.

Tom Toward, town council clerk, told councillors at a meeting on Monday night that there was a structural fault with the building, which would bring hefty repair bills in the future.

Boxing club committee member Wally Wake said: "It would have been perfect, but we were devastated when we heard the council could not buy it.''