PRIORY Park Boxing Club pulled no punches during the opening of its impressive new gym.

The Priory Road venue has tripled in size thanks to a £50,000 grant from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund.

Dozens of youngsters were on a waiting list to use the popular club's facilities but now work is complete, 30 people will be able to use the boxing area at any time.

Paul Gough, who has been a driving force behind Priory Park for the last 22 years, said: "We're getting more people joining us every session. It won't be long before we're back up to full capacity again.

"The club has always been popular and we're looking at making additional improvements.

"We want to develop a functional area which would take another 10 to 15 people, but we've run out of funds at the moment."

He continued: "We're looking at another £20,000 and I've been talking with both Sport England and Ibstock Cory with a view to taking Priory Park further forward. Both are keen to help because they can see the impact it makes upon the area.

"Once the functional area is complete, we would be able to get involved with the schools and colleges as well."

The expansion has allowed the club to install a championship standard 18 foot boxing ring and some state of the art punch bags.

The club also hope to add cameras into the functional area to help monitor and improve training.

Mr Gough added: "It's not just about the boxing. We look at everything about the boys and girls who come here. We encourage them to do well at school, we give them eating plans and focus on their entire wellbeing.

Mr Gough is more involved with the running of the gym these days and leaves the amateur boxing side in the capable hands of coaches Mitchell Pearce and Warren Davies.

But he also praised the contribution made by Dudley North MP Ian Austin and local councillors Ken Finch, Alan Finch and Margaret Aston. He said: "They've always been here for us and supported the club 100 per cent."

Mr Austin added: "Paul Gough and his team do brilliant work with local youngsters, keeping them fit and off the streets.

"Back in 2005, I promised the people of the Priory I would do all I could to help the boxing club and I'm really pleased that I was able to help the club secure a £50,000 grant towards the expansion."