A NEWPORT boxing enthusiast wants to turn a derelict church into a community sports and leisure centre.

Bettws Free Church in Tone Close, Newport, closed last summer because of falling attendances.

It is now boarded up and was recently hit by arsonists, but Dave Shepherd, a trainer at Crindau and Bettws Amateur Boxing Club, wants the council to buy the building.

Mr Shepherd, 36, said: "The church is just lying derelict and has been vandalised. The space could be put to much better use.

"The boxing club really needs the space and I've got a list of several interested clubs, including gymnastic and dance.

"It's an excellent location in the centre of Bettws. If Millbrook Junior and Infants schools are closed, then we'll lose community space there. Bettws leisure centre is OK but it's at the edge of the estate."

Mr Shepherd hopes the council will put up most or all of the purchase costs, but is also exploring grant aid and private funding.

He said the building was structurally sound and estimates buying the site will cost £100,000, and renovating it £30,000.

He said: "There are three halls in there that are of a good size and a builder who looked at the building with me said there is potential for an upstairs."

Bettws councillor Noel Trigg said: "This could be an excellent facility for the sports clubs in Bettws.

"The boxing club is having to turn people away because it's so busy. A centre like this could keep a lot of the youngsters off the streets.

"The council should either back it financially or offer its support so that Mr Shepherd can secure some grant money."

A spokeswoman for the United Reformed Church said the building will be up for sale soon.

She said: "We are a charity and we are going through a number of measures before the church can go on the market. It would be great to see it used for sports but the end use is not our decision."

A Newport city council spokesman said residents had been consulted about the church's future and the council would consider all viable options that would enable the building to be used as a community facility.

"However the council does not have the resources to undertake such a development itself and would look to assist local and voluntary organisations in seeking grant support," he said