A boxing club run from a garage behind Ernie Payne’s home in Chatteris has won a reprieve by council planners.

Fenland Council has lifted a condition which could have forced the club’s closure and has allowed it to continue for the foreseeable future.

Mr Payne and his son Jimmy have run the club from the small pre fabricated garage to the rear of their 1930s semi-detached home in London Road, Chatteris.

Their planning agent Ken Elener said the gym had been successfully running as a non- profit making venture by the father and son duo.

He said the garage is mainly still used for what it was originally intended, and only for seven-and- a-half hours a week is it turned into a boxing gym.

“It is a community project as neither trainer is paid,” said Mr Elener.

“They have funded this scheme themselves for the benefit of the community.”

“The gym had been running for sometime with no complaint until some small minded person with another agenda complains.

“I would hope there is a common sense approach which can be taken with this application.”

Mr Elener said in the past year the club had achieved “considerable success with lads of all ages competing and taking part in skilled bouts across the country”.

The club has produced three mid-Anglia champions, three eastern counties champions and two eastern counties finalists.

“The gym has also been recognised by the Fenland Youth Support Team who has provided a grant of £500 min recognition of the work done for youngsters at the club,” he said.

Chatteris Town Council supported Mr Payne describing the gym as “doing a good job and keeping youngsters off the streets”.