AN impassioned plea has been made to help young sportsmen and women and aspiring children who may be about to find themselves without a gym.

The SXF Gym in Tilbury has proved a hugely successful place for winning athletes, and only recently two of its members became word champions at kick-boxing.

However, the gym, which operates above Scruttons Club in Tilbury, faces an uncertain future as the club has now closed and the future of the building is in doubt.

That has come as a big shock and concern to members, including Team GB members Tommy Pelling and Keeley Rapson, who both took gold in their categories at the World Kickboxing Organisation world championships, which featured 1,700 competitors from more than 30 countries.

The club moved to Scruttons seven years ago, when Thurrock Council closed down the community centre in the former Tilbury Fire Station.

But Scruttons closed its doors for the last time a couple of weeks ago when owner Norman Wyatt announced it was no longer a viable concern.

SXF Gym spokesperson Billy Shelton says: "We are very grateful to Norman for stepping in and offering us the space, but unfortunately the social club is now closed and the gym faces an uncertain future in Tilbury.

"The club has always been a haven for kids to keep them safe and off the streets, giving them the opportunity to travel all over the world. We have had fighters representing the UK all over Europe and even had our students visiting Texas in the USA .

"Now, with rents so high in Tilbury and the local council constantly being unhelpful we fear we may have to leave the town which will be devastating for some of students that can't travel. We hope someone can help.

"Kids cubs, activities and sports are slowly being depleted from the town leaving young people with nothing to do."