SOUTHAMPTON'S largest youth sports organisation is facing closure - despite currently enjoying a period of unprecedented success.

The Southampton Amateur Gymnastics Club boasts a membership of more than 700, but could find itself homeless within months.

The problem stems from uncertainty surrounding the future of its two main venues - Redbridge Community School and the Deanery at St Mary's.

Redbridge is currently being rebuilt, while it is feared that there are plans to sell off the Deanery for housing.

Members, parents and coaches of the club are now desperately appealing to Southampton City Council, Sport England and British Gymnastics to help find a way forward.

Director of coaching Mike Walker said: "The gymnastics club is the biggest youth organisation in the city and does so much good for the community. Generations of people from Southampton have benefited from it.

"We just cannot let a club as big as this collapse. We want to find a way forward and push everyone in the right direction."

The club was formed back in 1968 and Walker has been involved with it since 1972.

"It would be tragic if we were left with nowhere to train," he said. "It is such a popular club. People who were once members bring their children along all the time."

Gymnasts of all ages and abilities currently train at either Redbridge or the Deanery every day of the week. But, with both buildings facing an uncertain future, they are now falling into a state of disrepair.

The main hall at Redbridge leaks and is unusable whenever it rains.

Walker hopes it can be agreed to renovate the gym at Redbridge, which is potentially a top-class gymnastics venue.

"Ideally we want to keep the big hall at Redbridge with some renovations," he said. "Because it is 42 metres it is the only place in the south that can be used for international tumbling."

Ironically the current problems are happening at a time when the club is achieving great success.

This year they received the Charter Mark from the City Council and next month they are due to be presented with the prestigious High Performance Status from British Gymnastics.

They will be one of the first clubs in the country to receive that distinction and British Gymnastics chief executive Alan Sommerville is due to make the presentation at the annual gala at Southampton Guildhall.

Walker said: "We have always tried to accommodate all aspects of gymnastics and provide the gymnasts with opportunities.

"We have produced numerous British champions and even won medals at European and World championships.

"It is a shame that all this has happened when we are receiving all this recognition and the elite gymnasts are also getting quite a bit of success.

"Something has to be done - this is a club that has helped thousands and thousands of youngsters in Southampton and will continue to do so given the chance."