Members and staff of Piddlehinton Gym are asking for donations to fix a badly damaged roof which could force the closure of the building.

The gym is a community hub for indoor sports and recreational activities and is run by local volunteers.

The future of the gym hangs in the balance because of the building's 80-year-old roof which leaks during heavy rainfall and is now beyond repair due to safety concerns.

Without raising the necessary funds, the gym will be forced to close in the next year.

The Piddlehinton Gym Charity has overseen the gym since the building was leased to them in 2007.

It is used by more than 200 people and 11 clubs and organisations every week for badminton, 5-a-side football, roller hockey and even remote-control car racing.

Adam White, a director of the charity, said: "The roof is very very old, it has already been repaired a number of times.

"It is now leaking so bad it is going onto the courts where we play badminton and football and obviously this presents a health and safety issue.

"We now can't repair the roof at all, it's become so bad roofers won't go on it, so we need a completely new roof.

"We are are fighting a losing battle and we will be forced to close at some point this year without that funding."

The charity is looking to raise £100,000 to install a new roof to future-proof the community space.

The charity has already applied for various grants and received donations from local businesses and clubs that use the facilities.

They are now appealing to members of the public to help them raise money to keep the gym open.

The charity has started a GoFundMe page and is encouraging local businesses to become a corporate sponsor for the gym.

Paul Hayes, chairman of the Piddlehinton Gym Charity, said: "This project is critical for the sustainability of this local community resource.

"Rural sports facilities are in short supply and a negative impact on the wellbeing of the local community would occur if the gym is forced to close."