BOLTON Olympic Wrestling Club will have a special guest through their doors tonight to give officials a funding boost.

Mrs Edith Conn, the Vice Lord Lieutenant will be visiting the Wigan Road base to meet with the next generation of wrestlers and club members to present a grant for £500 from the Dutchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund.

Club coach Tony Morris was shocked by the news and was delighted to receive the award.

"We never really get small grants so £500 is great for a club like ours.

"I am very grateful to them for giving us some money.

"We have done quite a few things including working on the cafe, and then improving the roof so the money will help with that.

"Alternatively we may decide spend it on equipment for the young people.

"We have had some great results by our up-and-coming wrestlers and I think this money is perfect reward for them."

The club are still celebrating the success of members Craig Pilling and Louisa Porogovska who won bronze medals for Wales and England respectively at the Commonwealth Games last summer.

But Morris believes there are plenty of other reason to crack open the champagne bottles recently.

He said: "We have had five of our coaches - Mark Cocker, Lee Meadow, Jesse Bradbury, Craig Pilling and Antoli Porogovsky - who have been qualified to level two.

"It is great to have them on board and helping to improve our young wrestlers."

Morris also tasted success recently by being recognised at the Bolton Sport and Active Living Awards as the 'Unsung Hero'.

He said: "It was a shock as I did not put in for it - my club did.

"It was so nice because I am doing something I enjoy and love.

"I have been involved in wrestling for 50 years and coaching for 36 but you do not do it to pick up awards.

"You do it for the young people coming through.

"However, picking up the award makes it all worthwhile."