A boxing club are facing an uncertain future after being told they must leave their premises - only a year after forming.

WardDegnan's Boxing Club are based at The Northern Echo Arena, but they are now looking for a new home following Darlington Football Club's relocation to Shildon for next season.

Argie Ward, with brother Frankie, launched the club in June last year, since when they have been based at the stadium with membership growing to around 300.

They have young boxers from eight-years-old upwards and regularly compete in shows around the region.

But being homeless, Ward admits, is a devastating blow.

He said: "The lads box week in, week out, we've got 300 members now, but if we can't find any premises we're knackered.

"We've been building the club up from nothing and we're keeping a lot of lads off the street.

"I don't know what we're going to do. You get a bit of good luck at the beginning in getting good premises at the Arena, but then this happens. I can't believe it.

"I hope someone reading this will be able to offer us something. It's not a big money-maker for us, we're doing something for the community, keeping kids off the street.

"We're not after somewhere for free, we just want to keep the club going."

Electricity and water will be turned off at the end of this week, but the stadium's owners, Philip Scott and Graham Sizer, have given WardDegnan a month to find a new base.

Ward added: "I've spoken to Scott and Sizer and they were very good with us to be fair. They've given us a month to find somewhere.

"But we need lights and water so I'll take a generator down for the power and a couple of five gallon drums of water for the lads."

Ward became the first professional boxer from Darlington to win a major title when he won the Commonwealth superbantamweight belt in 2007.

The gym opened in June last year and quickly attracted senior and junior boxers.

Ward added: "It's hard to get a place in Darlington so I don't know where we're going to go. I hope someone out there reading this story can help us out with premises."

The boxing club was named in tribute to Lol Degnan, a boxing stalwart in Darlington recognised as being part of the town's boxing heritage for more than six decades.

He is well-known for dedicating his life to boxing having taught the sport, after being a fighter himself, for over 60 years.

Based at Darlington Amateur Boxing Club, in Larchfield Street, Degnan helped produce more than 90 British champions - juniors and seniors.

Ward was one of his proteges and opened the gym with Frankie, naming it in honour of the man who shaped his boxing career and that of many others.

* If you are interested in offering WardDegnan's Boxing Club premises, contact Argie Ward on 077809-86806.