A “LOCAL hero” who went from being a pipe fitter to a champion boxer has been immortalised in the village where he lived.

A sculpture of the boxing gloves of champion fighter Maurice Cullen was unveiled in Shotton Colliery, in County Durham, on Saturday.

The sculpture, on the Ashbrooke Estate, close to Mr Cullen’s former home, was revealed by his grandchildren, Luke, 16, Tom, 13, and Millie, six.

Joan Cullen, his wife, said: “It’s amazing. It’s a real credit to him. We are very, very proud.”

Mr Cullen, who died in 2001, was five times British Lightweight boxing champion.

His 11-year career took him all over the world, including to Maddison Square Gardens, in New York.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by Mrs Cullen, their children, Rachael and Mark, three grandchildren and Mr Cullen’s sister, Eileen Connelly, as well as members of the community.

MP Grahame Morris said: “It’s a fitting tribute to local hero who has had little recognition, but in truth has been an inspiration to our community.

“Unlike many boxing champions today, he didn’t have the opportunity to live a life of luxury when his career finished. He returned to work in a chemical factory before serving as a milk man. He really was a local champion.”

Artist Graeme Hopper, who designed the sculpture, said: “The response has been lovely. It’s not always that public art is so accepted.

“Maurice was such a character in this village that so many people have come to say it’s great to have something for him.”

Durham County Councillor Eunice Huntington, who spent two years raising the funds for the project, said: “I think most of us remember Maurice very well and everyone says he was a lovely lad.

“He was a gentleman inside and outside the ring, and people liked him because he was a genuine person.”

Rachael Cullen said: “I was blown away when I first saw it [the sculpture] – it incredible. We are all incredibly proud. It’s absolutely amazing that the community and Eunice have raised the money to have this permanent legacy for our dad.”

Mr Cullen, who grew up in Wheatley Hill, worked as an apprentice pipe fitter at the local colliery.

After winning National Coal Board championships in the featherweight and lightweight divisions, he turned professional in 1959 and was managed by his brother Terry. In 1966 he was the outright winner of the Lonsdale Belt, the oldest boxing competition in the UK.

After retiring as a boxer in 1970, he worked at a chemical factory in Hartlepool and then became a milkman.