Kristian Thomas's gymnastics club faces battle in site search

Earls Gymnastics Club in Halesowen says it will look for funding to help pay for a centre of excellence. The old Sons of Rest building in Huntingtree Road has been earmarked as a possible site.

However, a campaign is up and running to reopen it for community use.

Campaigners say they have received positive feedback from Dudley Council but ward councillor Ken Turner, who is spearheading the Earls project to raise £500,000 for the move, says the site would be "ideal" for a new gymnastics centre.

Councillor Turner is also hoping to set up a meeting with council chiefs to discuss possible locations in the town. The club says it will look for cash from the Big Lottery Fund and Sport England.

Meanwhile, Councillor Donella Russell has led a group of residents drawing up a business plan to try to secure the old Sons of Rest site's future. The building was closed by the council last year, despite several groups still using the facility.

This year, the council declared it had no use for the building but residents say the site should be secured because of its history.

Councillor Russell said: "As far as I am concerned we have got a business plan together and we have had a positive response from the council. I do not believe the gymnastics club is seriously interested in the land."

Club chairman John Caul-well said there were "no concrete plans on the table" but the Sons of Rest building was "one of many options".

Kristian, of Wednesfield, helped win Great Britain's first medal in the team event for a century when they scooped bronze at London 2012. The club, where the 23-year-old trains every week, is struggling to make ends meet.