A GYMNASTIC club in Malvern has been forced to cut classes by 50 per cent because it needs new premises.

The Malvern Hills Gymnastic Club hired the former Malvern Girls' College's sports hall in Imperial Road six nights a week until July when it was told that the times the premises were available were being cut in order to make way for other bookings.

Lorraine Barson, who founded the club with husband Brian said because the group used the premises of the college, which merged with St James's School to become Malvern St James in October, it could cater for about 360 children. She said it has had to cancel so many sessions, 33 youngsters missed out on competing in a national competition in Birmingham in September and the same number will miss out on another national competition in the city in March because of a lack of training.

"We have had to cut our gym regime by half," said the 48-year-old of Powick, who is registered deaf and blind.

"At the moment we are training at the Grove School, Malvern, but we have outgrown that hall because the equipment doesn't fit there. We have lost four whole sessions plus the adult classes.

Mrs Barson said Malvern St James had done its best to accommodate the group, but its hands were tied because the bookings had already been made.

The club - which is run entirely by volunteers - can now only use the premises at weekends.

Mrs Barson said the club has its eye on premises in the town's Spring Lane, but could not afford the monthly rent of £2,000 until they had set up there and could offer the premises to other groups.

She appealed for anyone who could help financially to get in touch.

The couple set up the club eight years ago after travelling outside Worcestershire five times a week to take their daughter Sarah Louise, now 21, to gymnastic classes.

It charges £2 per child per session, which funds running costs.

Suzie Branch, spokeswoman for Malvern St James said she could not comment on arrangements made before the merger. "We would like to do everything we can to try to accommodate them," she added.

Anyone who can help can call Mrs Barson on 07761139228.