A Brighton boxing club has been saved, with support from the police.

Brighton faced closure in May when they lost their Bernard Road gymnasium.

But the police have stepped in to find a new headquarters at St David's Hall and the club has been re-named Whitehawk.

Sgt Tim Lumb, a community officer, said: "We put the club in touch with the church who own the hall and it only costs them £10 a session which they can raise through subs.

"Now we are planning to use money from police charity funds for community projects to buy them a collapsable ring which would cost about £2,500."

Gary Emings, who runs the club with former ABA finalist Nicky Bell, said: "It's fantastic news. I thought that was that a few months ago. The gym we had was being sold off for redevelopment, just like the one before that at the Phoenix Brewery.

"We tried to keep things ticking over by sharing Hove's gym in the hope something would happen and it has. Thanks to the law we are up and running again.

"We don't mind losing the city name because it means we're getting money to run the club as the police feel it will help the community."

The club has around 15-20 boxers in training, including novice boxers Steve and Sean O'Brien, Andy Graham, Paul Smith and Lee Mercer. Mick George and Phil Sale take the coaching.

Emings said: "We want to build up the club. Hopefully we can double the amount of boxers and get out to plenty of shows.

"We've had a lot of good boxers including professionals Paul Halpin and Mark Snipe. We've produced plenty of champions."

Bell added: "The police have been very helpful, but because other people use the hall, we have to keep putting the ring and apparatus up and down. It would be good to find a permanent home so we could keep the ring up all the time and put on more than three sessions a week."

Halpin said: "The police are doing a fantastic job getting involved. Most fighters come from the rougher areas and boxing does them good. I had a few brushes with the police when I was younger and joining the club did me the world of good."