MORE than 30 community sports clubs were kicked out of a gym to make way for sleeping quarters for hundreds of police officers tasked with protecting US President Donald Trump.

Among the disappointed groups is the popular Off The Walls Squash Academy, which had planned its season finale week, which has been on the cards for six months.

That included an exhibition match between Commonwealth gold medal-winning James Willstrop and Team England’s Daryl Selby as well as coaching masterclasses from the two men.

But on Monday night, club bosses were told their usual bookings would have to be cancelled as officers from around the country would be sleeping in the gymnasium and squash courts.

Some of the finale week has been transferred to courts in Ipswich “at great expense” but the usual coaching sessions arranged for the 120 academy members were all cancelled, leaving the club’s coaches without a week’s wages.

Karen Selby, Off The Wall’s secretary,, said: “I honestly thought it was a wind up.

“To get a call at 8pm to say we had to cancel everything for six days was a real body-blow.

“We have six courts at the Garrison and they were all fully booked out for individual lessons and squad training this week.

“James Willstrop and Daryl were coming here on Saturday to train and mentor our young players ahead of an exhibition match which we have been planning for six months.

“Everything was meticulously planned, then we received the phone call.”

She added: “It’s safe to say that everyone is disappointed, none more than all our coaches who basically lose a week’s income. That’s a tough ask for anyone these days.”

Other clubs, including football, basketball, swimming and netball teams, were also hit by the enforced closure.

When officers from around the country arrived at the Garrison, they began publicly complaining about the conditions they were staying in.

The plans, put in place by Essex Police, were then widely criticised and the officers have since been re-accommodated.

This morning, Mrs Selby received a phone call, telling her the club’s bookings could be reinstated.

She said: “We’ve already moved everything we could possibly move to courts in Ipswich at great expense and of course some people will not be able to make it.

“The whole thing has been a mess and whoever made that decision should come clean.

“I know it’s a big operation and it’s a Presidential visit but they have certainly forgotten about the little people.”

It is understood officers are now staying in hotels across the county, with many in Colchester.

The National Police Chiefs Council said: ‘Some of the accommodation pictured today for officers supporting the major operation for the US Presidential visit is not acceptable and below the standard of other accommodation for this operation. Essex Police is working at speed to resolve the issues for the affected officers.’