A FORMER nightclub on a Malvern Link industrial estate could be the new home that a popular club for children has been seeking for eight years.

Malvern Gym Club is hoping planning permission will be granted to allow it to move into 10 Spring Lane South.

The building's owner, Clifton Estates of Bristol, has just put in an application to change the use of the site.

Lorraine Barson, founder of the gym club, said she was delighted the search for a new home seemed to be over and she was grateful to Myles Robinson of Clifton Estates for providing the venue.

"We were looking at another premises on Spring Lane but the owner wanted £30,000 a year rent for it and that was too much for us," she said.

The club's search has gone on so long because it was difficult to find premises with enough ceiling height to fit in the necessary equipment.

Until now, the club has managed by using halls rented from various schools.

But this has meant instructors and coaches have to spend a lot of time packing, unpacking and transporting apparatus.

Ms Barson is very keen to see the former nightclub be transformed into a permanent base for the gymnasts, so the club has a permanent home.

She said: "I really hope the application gets passed by the council."

Ms Barson started the club after her daughter had to travel up to Birmingham five times a week to get gymnastic instruction.

Founded with a handful of members, it now has more than 300.

The nightclub opened up in 1999 as the Lighthouse, Malvern's first such venture.

It later became Club Nine but closed its doors in January 2006.

In December that year, Clifton Estates' plans to turn the building into five starter units for businesses with seven more in the grounds were approved by Malvern Hills District Council.