THE MAN who has set up the new Ongar Boxing Club was as pleased as punch with the way its opening night went last Tuesday.

Local man Mark Wilks who is a former Repton Boxing Club captain and amateur international believes the club, which is the only one in the area. could well produce some stars of the future.

He said: "The opening night was a huge success and we had around 40 people turn up and at least 23 youngsters have signed up.

"This is great news because the reason I set out to get the club going with the help of other people was to get kids off the street.

"You see so many of them hanging around bus stops at nights and there must be a huge wealth of untapped talent here."

The club, which has secured the use of Ongar Village Hall with the help of its manager and Epping Forest District Council, is now an affiliated member of the Essex Amateur Boxing Association.

Training is staged between 6 and 8pm on Tuesday and Friday nights and Mark is not only looking to recruit more junior members, but he would like some senior fighters to join up as well.

He is also after some further local support and adds: "I have been able to set up with the help of funding from some business associates of mine, but it would be nice if we could get some sponsorship from local companies to help us along."

If you would like further information about either joining the club or perhaps helping out with sponsorship call Mark on 078661 39363.