A GYMNASTICS club that has trained thousands of youngsters could close if it does not find a coach.

Parents and members of the committee at Bishop Auckland Gymnastics Club are appealing for a new coach to come forward and save the 27-year-old club from closure.

Committee member Karen Dawson said the club was financially stable but could not continue without a trained coach.

She said: "We have been struggling for a while to find a coach. The woman who does it now has been wanting retire from the post for some time and has stayed on a year longer than she wanted just to help us out.

"It has got to the stage where she can no longer continue because of other commitments and we desperately need to find someone else."

About 40 youngsters, between the ages of five and 14, take part in weekly club's activities.

The club was meeting at Bishop Barrington Comprehensive School Gym, but while the school waits for its purpose-built sports hall to be completed, the club was offered an alternative venue, Auckland Youth and Community Centre, in Woodhouse Close Estate. But, because of the coaching crisis it has not met since the start of the summer holidays in July. The group takes the same six-week break as the schools.

Mrs Dawson said: "It is a very popular club and we have a lot of support from the parents.

"One woman has already trained to be an assistant coach and we have one dad who is willing to do the training as well, but this is no good without an official club coach."

Funding is in place to finance the post and the club said it will be able to pay someone to take on the role at an hourly rate.

Mrs Dawson said: "It is a friendly little club and we have a waiting list for children wanting to join.

"The children love it. My nine-year-old daughter practises all the time and she would be devastated if it was to close."

Anyone who is able to help solve the crisis is asked to call Mrs Dawson on (01388) 661232.