A BOLTON boxing club which opened just eight months ago is already enjoying success in the ring.

Metro Boxing Club is based in the Platinum Community Centre on the site of the former Robin Hood pub in Halliwell Road.

This was transformed last May when heavyweight champion Tyson Fury opened the new Team Fury gym and Nick Astley, the boss of Bolton-based Metro Taxis, sponsored the new boxing club there.

Since then, the club — open to youngsters from the age of eight — has been enjoying packed sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays and also on Sunday mornings.

At the same time, some of its boxers have been proving a knockout in competition.

Two fighters, 16 year-old Kane Markland from Deane and 17 year-old Raheem Raja from Halliwell, got through to the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) North-west finals before losing out on top honours.

Kane fights in the 50 kilo (light flyweight) category and Raheem in the 69 kilo (welterweight) category "and both had fought very well to reach the finals" explained Metro head coach, Tommy Battle.

Another Metro boxer, Jack Cullen, aged 21, from Little Lever, has just been included in the England squad.

"He has been doing very well — he's been sparring with world number three middleweight Antony Fowler and he reached the regional quarter-finals of the ABA last year," added Mr Battle.

And Lee Mitchell, aged 21, another Bolton Metro boxer, also reached the ABA quarter-finals last year.

"The club has been doing really well," said Mr Battle. "And it's great to see so many youngsters coming down each week. We only charge a nominal amount so could not exist without the sponsorship."

Mr Astley said he was "really proud" of all the achievements there so far.

"When I was first approached about sponsoring the club it felt right," he explained.

"I had started my first company, Halliwell Taxis, near the gym, and I just wanted to give something back as the club keeps kids off the streets. There is a great team in place and I think what everyone is doing there is awesome."