A JUDO club that trains more than 80 schoolchildren every week fears it might have to slash the number of its members if new premises are not found.The Hollesley Judo Club, which currently trains at RAF Woodbridge gymnasium, has until the end of the month to find a new base following the decision earlier this year to close down the facility.

A JUDO club that trains more than 80 schoolchildren every week fears it might have to slash the number of its members if new premises are not found.

The Hollesley Judo Club, which currently trains at RAF Woodbridge gymnasium, has until the end of the month to find a new base following the decision earlier this year to close down the facility.

The Land Command department is planning to announce what it wants to do with Woodbridge Airfield, currently used for helicopter training and Army exercises, next month.

The post office on the site has already closed and both the shop and gym are to be closed this month, sparking fears the Ministry of Defence is planning to mothball the base.

Senior coach, Julie Jolliffe, set up the judo club in 1992 at Hollesley County Primary School.

The club now has 100 members, 80 of which are children aged between five and 16, and is struggling to find premises large enough to accommodate their special judo mat.

"We are finding it extremely difficult to find new premises. The problem we have is that we have between 80 and 100 members and a large mat that we paid for ourselves and we can't find anywhere big enough to carry on.

"It might mean we have to cut down on the size of the classes.

"We are trying to encourage children into sport in this country and it's sad that no one seems to want to help us out."

The coach said the fees collected from children every week were spent on transport to other venues and a barbecue at the end of term. She added that the club could not afford the £75 hire cost of a hall for three hours in sports centre.

Anyone who can help with premises should contact Julie Jolliffe on 01394 410483.