A DUDLEY boxing club has been showing off its new facilities to big hitters from Black Country business and politics.

Dudley North MP Ian Austin and business leader Roy Richardson paid a visit to Priory Park Boxing Club to take a look at the first rounds of construction work on a new extension which will double the size of the current gym.

The club, on Priory Road, will be able to accommodate 100 boxers after the £250,000 project is completed early next year.

Club chairman and head coach Paul Gough said: "We had a very important contribution from the Richardsons and Ian has been a supporter of the club for a long time.

"The Mayor of Dudley, Alan Finch, also supports the club and lots of local businesses have also been helping us keep costs down."

Mr Gough added although the gym will remain primarily a boxing club it will also begin hosting sessions for general fitness training and healthy lifestyle classes.

He said: "Im looking forward to it. It has taken a long time coming, now it's here it is a case of making sure it keeps getting bigger and bigger."

Ian Austin said: “Paul Gough and his team do brilliant work with local youngsters, keeping them fit and off the streets, teaching them that with discipline, hard-work and dedication, the sky is the limit.

“It will be a fantastic new facility and we should all thank Paul Gough and his team, Roy Richardson and everyone else who has helped make it happen.”