A BADMINTON club for young people is facing closure unless it can attract new members.

The Purley United Reformed Church Badminton Club, which meets on Saturday mornings, is looking for players aged 10 to 15.

Joint club manager David Juster, who has been coaching the youngsters since 1981, said the group has not made any money since September and is struggling to pay its costs.

"Shutting down is the last thing in the world we want to do, but unless we can attract some new members then our hands will be tied," he said.

Mr Juster, who is handing responsibility for the club to his 19-year-old son Jack after a back injury forced him to stop playing, said he would recommend badminton to anyone.

"It is a very good way of getting fit and getting some exercise, but also meeting new people," he said.

The junior section of the club has been running for more than 40 years, while the senior section is thought to date back to the 1920s.

The adults meet on Monday and Friday evenings, while the younger team members play from 10am until midday on Saturdays at the church hall on Brighton Road.

Each member pays a subscription fee of £27 per year, which covers the cost of the hall hire, while the coaches give their time for free.