A health club has been shut down for repairs after a storm ripped holes in the roof and flooded exercise and bar areas.

Managers of the Dragons Health and Leisure Club in St Helier Road, Hove, have been forced to close the building after water began seeping through the roof following gales last Thursday night.

Torrential rain has since damaged the floor of the squash court, dislodged ceiling tiles and flooded the bar area, leaving the club with no electricity or phone lines.

The 2,000 members of the club have been told it will be closed for at least the remainder of this week.

Dragons, which has been operating in Hove for 15 years, is part of a chain which boasts 22 clubs nationally.

Group operations manager Steve Roberts said: "We hope to get a full assessment of the damage, do the necessary remedial works and then reopen as quickly as possible."

Tracey Clegg, membership secretary of the club, said: "The worst of the damage is to the bar and bistro area. Water has also seeped on to the squash courts. Hopefully, we shall be back in action soon."

Last summer the Hove club had a £200,000 refurbishment.