The final bell has rung for members of Tenby Boxing Club for the moment, as they are presently searching for new premises in which to train - but the club is not going down without a fight.

The club has been based on and off for the last five years in the basement of Jammo's nightclub, Penally, and also had a brief spell in Whitland, but high insurance costs have resulted in the club having to search for new premises.

"It's a shame to have to leave the basement at Jammo's as it suited the club ideally, but with insurance costs to keep us there rocketing sky high and owner Mike Haines taking a step back from the boxing side, unfortunately at the moment we have no club and nowhere to train," explained Mr. Kim Baker, who has run the club for the past three years.

"Mike has been tremendous for the boxing club over the years, though, and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the ring, and will still have a part to play when the club finds a new home," said Kim.

The club, which operates three times a week, isn't just aimed at the sport of boxing, though. People from all age groups who want to exercise, lose weight and get their fitness levels up are also welcome.

"Although essentially a boxing club, it was an ideal place for people of all ages to come and use the weightlifting equipment and exercise to lose a few pounds," revealed Kim.

"We had people from all over the county come to use our facilities. The club was like a magnet for everyone from mums who had just had babies and wanted to lose a few pounds to dads and their young sons who wanted to get into a sport like boxing.

"I think with all the reports on obesity levels in Britain going up and people being encouraged to exercise more, it's a real shame that a club like ours isn't going at the moment, but hopefully we won't be out of action for long," continued Kim.

Ideally the club needs a premises that has enough room for a boxing ring and enough floor space for all the weightlifting equipment and room for exercising.

"A space something around 40-foot long and 20-foot wide would suit us ideally as we have a ring and quite a bit of equipment to fit in; it also helps to have enough floor space so I can see everything that's going and look after everyone properly.

"We've made a couple of enquiries with the council over possible buildings, but nothing has come of it so far. We're not looking for anything spectacular as we would have enough support and interest from people and parents associated with the club to turn a reasonably rundown place into something that would meet all the health and safety demands required," explained Kim.

Kim, whose two sons Ben and Sam train at the club and have achieved success in the boxing ring at a young age, hopes someone will come forward with a suitable premises to base the club, as he thinks the youngsters who attend will be hit the hardest in the long run.

"The kids who come to the club love the experience,"he said. "We make sure they are properly looked after and supervised and that they also get full training and knowledge of a sport that teaches them self-respect and discipline.

"Most importantly, though, it keeps them out of trouble and off the streets, and there are not enough activities these days that can provide that for them," added Kim.

Anyone who can help with Tenby Boxing Club's search for new premises can contact Kim Baker on 01834 810292.