Blackpool's Keidokwai Judo Club says it is being forced to leave base it has called home for over 75 years

Keidokwai Judo Club Blackpool is a not-for-profit community sports club founded in 1942 which has used the premises above Grade II Listed Revoe Library since 1948.

The club, which celebrated its landmark 80th anniversary two years ago, has numerous youngsters in its ranks, as well as members with disabilities, and a strong community base.

But members have been told by landlord Blackpool Council that it is terminating the lease from August 30 this year and the club will have to find new premises.

The members say they feel aggrieved over this because of the amount of money the club has invested in the building, the impracticality of finding suitable alternative premises and the fact they have not been given a proper explanation for the move.

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Judo club spokesman Daniel Hankinson said: "If we are to lose these premises it would cause the club considerable upset to relocate and also considerable expense to prepare new premises.

"The local children who use the club would also be severely inconvenienced. If we are unable to find suitable alternative accommodation in the area they would probably not continue in the sport.

"All of our coaches throughout this time have been volunteers and do not receive payment. They do it for the love of judo and to use it as a way of giving back to the local community and to members the opportunity to get into sport whatever their background, age or gender.

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"Our current head coach was last year a finalist for the British Judo Coach of the Year Award which shows the benefit and commitment to coaching that our members receive and enjoy from our club. "Blackpool Council will be terminating our lease from August 30 and we have not been given any reason for doing so. We just hope we can build traction in reversing the decision from the council."

Blackpool Council has been approached for a comment.

We've invested thousands in this building

The club says it has forked out £17k on improving the facilities, such as safety barriers, furniture for spectators and improvement to the spectators area, as well as £2,000 repairing the parquet flooring and another £2,000 on installing new LED lights.

Daniel added: "Improving the building itself would normally be the repsonsibility of the landlord but we have done it ourselves, savng the coubcil thousands.

"So it seems so unfair that we are being asked to leave."