Local boxing has received a massive boost with news that the Rayleigh Club is back in business for the first time since they were forced to quit premises in Rawreth Lane last autumn when the wind blew the roof off the unit they were using.

New site is in the Fairways Garden Centre at Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh, and the club's Tony Bishop said: "It will be great to get back into action.

"Weve been getting loads of phone calls asking when we'd be back. I'd like to thank Joe and Steve of Fairways Diner at the Centre for making these premises available for us.

"We've fitted them out with all the equipment and will have out first session on Sunday from 10.30am.

"After that we'll have regular nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm and we hope that some of the boys who've dropped out of boxing since we had to close will return."

Anyone wishing to make inquiries about the club should phone Cliff on 01268 770857.