FOREST Oaks Boxing Club is set to fold because of mounting debts.

The club has been locked out of its Station Street gym for several months because of unpaid rent. The club is also believed to have other debts.

The club's gym is owned by Rothdean and used to be the Rothdean social club.

Rothdean owner Lionel Jones said: "They are no longer tenants. They owe around £12k in rent and electricity and have failed to pay us over years, not months.

"I've tried to help the club all I can but all I have had is false promises."

Forest Oaks was formed in 2006 by Les Brooking and the late Dave Wylde.

Initially, the club went from strength to strength, putting on its own shows in the town and attracting new blood into boxing.

In recent times things have dropped off dramatically, but the club still had 8-10 registered boxers, around 20 youngsters and boxercise classes for 20+ people twice a week.

Boxing coach Dave Robbins said: "It's difficult to know where we go from here. I know ignorance is no defence but most of us didn't know anything was wrong."