SEDGLEY councillor Bill Etheridge turned into 'The Beast' on Saturday night as he made his boxing debut.

The West Midlands MEP traded punches with Dudley’s Ross Brumell during an exhibition match at Bilston’s Imperial Suite.

Although there was no winner, the battling UKIP politician managed to get in several powerful jabs and both fighters received a medal at the end.

The match, which raised cash for New Roots - a charity which supports homeless adults - was also the culmination of a major health kick for cllr Etheridge, who switched to a high protein diet and spent many gruelling hours in the gym to get fighting fit.

He said: "I have only done a few months training but so far I think we have raised more than £1,000 for the charity.

"The match was suggested to me when I went on a diet and started training at a boxing gym.

"They said there was a show on so why don't you come down and have a go.

"It sounded crazy but I thought let's go for it.

"It was an exhibition fight so there was no winner, but I was up against a great lad and enjoyed it."