Moorclose Boxing Club is ready to celebrate its first birthday with two new additions to its team.

Darren Askew, 31, of Seaton, is a professional boxer who has just come back to Cumbria after a spell in Australia.

He has joined the coaching team at Workington Town Boys’ And Girls’ Club with the club’s first female coach Katie Clark, 32, of Salterbeck, who has boxed for the army.

The club is due to hold an open day on Saturday, August 6, to celebrate a year since its reopening.

Darren, a former Stainburn School pupil moved to Australia in 2011, where he won the Queensland light-welterweight title and the Victoria State light-middleweight title.

He started his career by training at Workington Town Boys’ And Girls’ Club.

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

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

Darren said: “It’s very satisfying being a coach where it all started for me with coach Joe Dryden.

“Working with the children is very rewarding. I have a lot of experience, Joe was a great coach and I feel I’ve learned from the best.

“I’ve boxed around the world and learned from past, present and future champions.”

Darren came back to his hometown in March and is working as an electrician for Maryport’s Blue Flame.

He added: “I know what’s required to get to a certain level and I can offer a lot.

“The boxing community is small and everyone knows everyone. It can offer a lot from a skills aspect and also to grow confidence.”

The club, which now has 12 coaches and caters for children and adults, hopes to have a team of fighters by the beginning of next year.

Katie joined the club as a coach in June. She decided to start coaching when she took her daughter Demi Cook, seven, for sessions at the club.

She said: “I love working with the children. Boxing isn’t just for men. I’m really looking forward to working with the club, and I’m sure it will be rewarding to see the members grow.”

The club recently received a visit from welterweight champion John H Stracey, who held the world title between 1975 and 1976.

Phill Dryden, chairman, said: “He was very impressed with the club. It was fantastic to have him here and the children loved meeting him. It shows that what we do here is worthwhile and paying off.

“He told the kids they don’t know how lucky they are, because when he started, if you didn’t get to your club early you wouldn’t even get a bag.

“It just makes you appreciate what we have here. It’s great to see how many people attend the club now.”

Craig Sowerby, coach at the club, said: “The volunteers do a great job and everyone has something to give. It’s great to see the club expanding after just a year.”

Workington MP Sue Hayman is due to attend the open day on August 6, from 10am to 2pm.

There will be demonstrations and activities throughout the event.