A Workington boxing club has celebrated its first anniversary.

Workington Town Boys And Girls Club, based at Moorclose Campus, held an open day on Saturday to mark its birthday.

Phill Dryden, chairman, said: "It was a nice opportunity to showcase what we do with fun challenges, rope work, bag work and sparring skills.

"Our visitors were able to see the excellent work that our volunteer coaches and members are doing at the club.

"We now have 10 coaches fully trained and three to be trained up.

"They are all committed and provide valuable time and effort in support of the community.

"Training doesn't just focus on boxing, we provide boxing related fitness for those who just want to get fit.

"We are now conscious that we need to build on our current success in order for us to develop the club further in other areas of youth provision, to enable us to contribute to be a valued community asset working in partnership with all organisations in the community.

Workington MP Sue Hayman and Allerdale council leader Alan Smith attended the event.

Coun Smith donated £1,000 to pay for the training of new coach Darren Askew, who was a professional boxer in Australia.

Coun Smith said: "I was really impressed with the set-up, they have children, juniors, adults.

"It's a brilliant community asset so I thought I'd give them a bit of money to support it.

"When we decided to build the new leisure centre in Workington and close the one at Moorclose, I always made a point of not forgetting about Moorclose.

"I'm now working with the ward councillors on finding something else for Moorclose, but I thought the boxing club will grow into something really important for the community.

"Facilities like these get the children of the street and gives them discipline."

The club's old base on Bolton Street was knocked down and the club relocated to Workington Leisure Centre.

It later closed and reopened at Moorclose former sixth form campus in August last year.

Mrs Hayman said: "I was really impressed with the facilities at the boxing club and the enthusiasm of everyone who was there.

"The coaches are properly trained to be able to provide support to the young people who attend and it was great to see their commitment to the club.

"The club is clearly important to the local community as the open day was very well attended, with young children, including girls, also coming along to join in the fun.

"Boxing keeps you fit and teaches self-discipline and I wish the club every success for the future."