Six junior fighters from a borough boxing gym will be representing England at a world championships event.

Kearsley MuayThai will be sending talented half a dozen of their talented athletes to the WBC Amazing MuayThai Festival in Venice at the end of June.

The inaugural festival will host competitors from all over the world.

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Head coach David Knowles said: “This is a huge opportunity for the fighters to be able to fight abroad to represent their country.

“It’s a big thing for them - all the fighters train hard.

"They’ve got something to work towards and they’re really looking forward to it.

“It means a lot to the gym.

"I have been teaching for years and it’s a passion for me.

"I am so proud of the hard work and dedication the fighters put in every single day.”

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Kearsley MuayThai was established 10 years ago and has been at its current location in Farnworth for five years.

The junior fighters, aged between 10 and 14, are six of just 38 total fighters selected from across the country.

The Bolton fighters were selected following their success at a highly competitive tournament in Birmingham last December, in which all six won their fights.

Representing the nation in "the art of eight limbs" will be Kearsley’s own Archie Yates, 10, Kylan Rimmer, 11, Ceejay Fenton, 13, Stan Venables, 12, and Evie Killeen, 12, and Tommy Gore, 14.

The fighters and their families have been fundraising to support their campaign to Venice.

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Organisers says the event will give competitors the "opportunity of a lifetime to make memories out of the ring, make friends from different cultures and experience how valuable MuayThai sport and culture are worldwide".

Relatives commenting on a Facebook post that announced the team’s selection said: “can’t wait” and “so proud”.

The festival is set to take place from June 22 to 25.