A sports complex severely damaged in an arson attack will host a world volleyball championship.

The international competition for under 21s will be held at the Yellowave Beach Sports at Madeira Drive, Brighton, next year.

Bosses at the complex fought off tough competition from other countries to host the event, which will take place from September 3-7.

It will be the first time Britain has held a world volleyball championship.

Councillor David Smith, chairman of the culture, recreation and tourism committee for Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "We are delighted to have been selected as the host for the SWATCH-FIVB World Championships.

"Beach volleyball is a vibrant sport, attracting different cultures from all over the world to enjoy the sporting spectacle and the best of Brighton's hospitality."

The centre opened last year and has six sand courts on the beach.

The competition will kick off the lead up to the Olympic games in London in 2012.

Alan Randall, director of Yellowave said: "This is Brighton kicking off the Olympics.

"We'll have stands on the beach to seat about 3,000 people. It's a huge boost for us."

The South East England Development Agency (Seeda) is supporting the event to the tune of £50,000.

Oona Muirhead of Seeda said: "International events such as these have a significant impact on their local areas in all sorts of ways, including tourism, employment and healthy living."

Volleyball England also supported Brighton's bid for the championships.

Chief executive Toomas Ojasoo said: "I'm so glad it went to the South Coast. Brighton has history and experience with beach volleyball and it's a memorable and visual city that I know people will look forward to visiting."

The Yellowave centre's application to host the world championship was boosted by the fact they successfully held the Volleyball England Beach Tour finals this year.

Mr Randall added: "I heard through the grapevine that the toughest competition would come from the Netherlands who are also very good at volleyball.

"I feel really proud that we managed to fend off countries like this despite the fire at the centre."

A member of Volleyball England visited the centre after the fire and gave it the all clear for the championships.

The volleyball courts have stayed open despite the damage to the centre itself.

Yellowave will also host the volleyball national championship in the weeks before the world championship kicks off.

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