A young Darlington boxer enjoyed the biggest win of his career so far after beating an England international to clinch a national title.

Darlington ABC's Neil Hepper became a National Association of Young People champion when he defeated Luke Gray of Stevenage, London in their class A under-54kg contest.

Held in Retford, Nottingham, it was a tough fight for the 15-year-old and he just edged it 3-2 on the computer scoring system to claim his first title win.

"When the fight finished I couldn't tell who had won," admitted Hepper who attends Eastbourne School, Darlington. "I knew it could've gone either way because it was very close but I knew I'd done my best.

"He won a gold medal in a four nations competition last year and has had 28 bouts and won 23 of them so I knew he was going to be hard to beat."

After the impressive win, Hepper, coached by Trevor Craggs and Mick Winn, is now setting his sights on the National Amateur Schoolboy Championships which begin next month and is in confident mood.

"I had a poor year last season but I'm just coming on nicely now, I've won my last five fights.

"Last year I was heavier and boxing heavier lads so I dropped down a weight and I think that has helped.

"If you win the Amateur Schoolboys you fight for the junior Olympics so that's what I'm hoping for now."

Fellow North-East boxer Bradley Saunders also picked up a Young People's title recently as the South Durham ABC youngster won in the class C under-64kg category.

He beat Michael Graydon from Bristol Broads Plain 18-7, also on the computer scoring. The win added yet more silverware to Saunders' trophy cabinet which has previously accommodated national titles while the 17-year-old has also represented England in the past.