The Lyons Lane club are celebrating after more boxers have joined their ranks than at any time in the past 10 years.

Reece Bretherton, who helped run the club for the last 46 years, has seen many boxers come and go through the ranks but he has high hopes for the current crop.

He said: "With boxing on cable and terrestrial television the kids are watching the fights and are wanting to come along.

"We do not have many boxers from Chorley but there are alot from Whittle-le-Woods, Coppull and Leyland who are registered to fight with us.

"It is great to have so many more people down at the club and they are not just juniors. We have boxers who are 32 as well fighting."

Thirteen-year-old Imran Aswat is one young talent tipped for success, as is Irshad Desai who was a quarter-finalist in the national Golden Gloves competition.

Reece said: "He is raring to go again and we are expecting big things from him.

"He is a respected opponent at other clubs around the country and he is looking to progress this year by making the semi-finals. All the professional boxers that have come through the club have done the same taking it a step at a time."

On the senior side, brothers Thomas and James Dunn continue to fly the Chorley ABC flag after competing in 39 contests between them.

With the club boasting increased numbers Reece is calling on young and old to come along to train or even box.

He said: "We still want more people to take up the sport."

Anyone interested in joining Chorley ABC should contact Reece on 01257 416576.