Natbridge Amateur Boxing Club, on Dunkirk Lane, will benefit from £1,500 of new training equipment thanks to New Progress Housing Association.

The club is the training home of Ladies Amateur champion Lyndsay Littlewood and has also launched the professional career of boxer Chris Johnson.

The work of the club's founder Martin Benson in encouraging young people off the streets and into the ring has seen him earn numerous awards for his community work with South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire Constabulary.

More than 300 young people attend the gym for training sessions and club officials approached New Progress to help with the cost of a new boxing ring to meet the demands of local boxers.

Natbridge ABC has been operating for five years and as well as boxing it offers ladies box-fit sessions, kickboxing classes and a weights room.

Natbridge's fundraising officer Alan Hemmings said: "This new equipments is essential towards the development of all participants within the club.

"Without a boxing ring we have no chance of taking Natbridge ABC to the next level."

New Progress Housing's community investment manager Steve O'Hagan said: "This contribution by New Progress is in recognition of the valuable work that the club does in co-operation with South Ribble Council and the police.

"They give younger people a positive outlook for their energies."