THE young daughter of an award-winning community sports coach has helped her father cut the ribbon at the official opening of the North East’s biggest building society’s newest branch.

Newcastle Building Society has opened a branch and advice centre in Saddler Street Durham city centre.

The society invited Alex Oliver, founder and head coach at Brandon Boxing Club, to officially open the new branch in recognition of the British Empire Medal he was awarded in the latest Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for services to charity and to the community.

Alex’s eight year-old daughter Kara-mai stole the show by helping him do the honours.

Currently based at the Brandon and Carside Youth and Community Centre, Brandon Boxing Club was set up by Alex in 2013.

The club offers eight training sessions every week which are run by its ten qualified coaches and it has grown to now have more than 100 people accessing its facilities.

The club is about to move into a new, purpose-built facility at Brandon Sports Club, and will be holding an official opening event on the 2nd April, which is Easter Monday.

As well as running the boxing club, Alex is also involved with raising money for a range of local charities and good causes, including Trinity School Durham where Kara-mai is a pupil.