A BOXING club from Bishop Auckland has got into the ring with the Army, after securing a sponsorship deal.

JJ Boxing Club, based at the town's Four Clocks Centre, has received funding for training tops for all of its 144 members, after providing training for potential recruits from the town.

The club has trained more than 14 youngsters, all enlisted into the Army at the town's Army Careers Office, in preparation for them securing a place at one of the Army Training Regiments across the country to undergo their basic military training.

John Rickerby, who runs the boxing club, said: "We are really delighted to have established this partnership. All of our trainers here are ex-military, and we all understand how important physical fitness is in the Army, so I approached Tony Masters at the office some time ago and offered our services to help prepare his applicants for selection."

Mr Masters, senior recruiter at the Bishop Auckland Army Careers office says: "The support that the club has offered us with our applicants has been fantastic.

"We see this as being an on-going partnership now, and we are delighted that we have been able to provide the club's members with tops to train in."