Bingo players are joining forces to try to stop the closure of their local club.

The Gala Bingo club in Portland Road, Hove has been sold to developers McCarthy and Stone.

The firm plans to demolish the hall to make way for a £4 million development of 47 apartments for retired people.

Construction could start next March if planners give the go- ahead for the scheme.

Gala Bingo said it regretted the loss of the club but it had become financially unviable to continue to run it.

Now members of the club are taking action to try to prevent its closure.

Mandy Austin, of Kings Lane Close, Shoreham, has organised a petition, which has so far been signed by about 250 people.

She said: "We have been taking in the petition for members to sign. A lot of people have been going since it opened 27 years ago.

"It's mainly the elderly members I feel for as they can't go further away.

"A lot of them go every afternoon and evening."

The petition will be kept going for another week and then handed to Gala Bingo head office by Mrs Austin, a regular at the club for the past ten years.

Mrs Austin, 42, added: "I enjoy the atmosphere. Hove is a quiet club where everyone knows each other.

"The staff know the members by name, it is a very friendly place.

"Gala should know how people are feeling about this."

Peggy Austin, 65, from Fishersgate, Shoreham, has been attending the club for 25 years.

She said: "It's absolutely terrible, it came as a big shock. I've added my name to the petition.

"I won't be going to bingo when it closes because the other clubs are too far out and a lot of the other older members feel the same."

A closure date for the club has not yet been confirmed but is expect-ed to be in September.

Gala Bingo, which is encouraging Hove members to use other venues in Brighton and Worthing, will be holding events to mark the closure of the club.

The firm has confirmed the deal will not result in any job losses as all staff will be offered positions at other clubs in the area.