MEMBERS are celebrating after saving Selby Squash Club.

The club - based at The Maltings off Flaxley Road - was facing extinction until members stepped in to take over.

The Maltings houses three squash courts, a gym, a salon and bar, with the club boasting 75 squash members and more than 100 gym members.

The long-established club was previously privately owned and was facing closure due to financial troubles, but members have formed a committee and assumed control.

Now officials at the club, which has six teams competing in the York & District Squash League, are planning a series of fundraising events and appealing for support from businesses in the town.

Committee member Annalise Short said: "The members are delighted that the club will be continuing with the added bonus of it being a members club.

"This allows for all profits made to be put back into improving the facilities for both squash and gym members.

"The work behind saving the club has been extensive and many thanks are owed to chairman Luke Murphy and other members who pulled together at this difficult time."

She added: "We found out the club was closing and approached the landlord to let him know we wanted to keep the club open as a members club.

"He was very happy to hear this news. However, we now have the difficult task of raising the money for the rent and also to buy out the gym equipment.

"With regards to the rent, a couple of local businesses have volunteered this money until the club is up and running.

"We are also planning some fundraising events in order to raise other monies that are required. We will also be carrying on with functions that were a common occurrence on a weekend.

"We will also be approaching the local council as well as various sporting bodies, such as Squash England, for assistance.

"All of the members come from a variety of backgrounds and trades, so we will hopefully save money there from everybody helping out with the upkeep the club will require."

With five men's teams and one women's side already competing, the committee are keen to establish a junior set-up.

Short said: "We hope to create a junior team as we are in negotiations with the local high schools about students coming down for squash lessons etc.

"Selby High School has in the previous years spent a Friday afternoon at the club and we hope to get this back up and running to encourage more juniors to the club."

With Murphy in the role of chairman, Keith Atkinson and Gavin Watson are taking responsibility for the junior side of the club, with Mark Love looking after maintenance and Davina Nibblet overseeing events.

Anyone interested in joining or supporting Selby Squash Club should phone Short on 07792 756562.

The club is open from 9.30am to 9.30pm Monday to Friday, and from 9.30 to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday.