MINEHEAD Boxing Club officially re-opened its doors last week with a special open evening at the new club premises in the town's station car park.

Guests at the event included club coach Mickey Thresher, Hazel Luxton, Andy Caufield and club chairman Danny McGee, who worked together to ensure the club would continue when it was forced to find new premises.

Also present were Chico Lynch, club president Barry Richards and Bob Hawthorn who used to work with the famous Turpin boxing family.

And to mark the occasion, Mark Grainger and Nick Jacklin of the shop patrol security scheme presented the club with a new punchbag.

The revolutionary punchbag was of a new design and Minehead Boxing Club believed it was probably one of the first in the West Country to receive one.

Club manager Dudley Seale thanked everyone for their help in getting the club off the ground again and said he was especially grateful to Mr McGee and Mr Thresher.

He said the club offered the young people of the town the chance to learn new skills and to keep fit and healthy at the same time.

The club also offered adult keep fit sessions but such was its success, there was already a waiting list.

Pictured from the left are Mr Grainger, Mr McGee, Mr Jacklin, Mr Seale, Mrs Luxton and coach Tony Hemmings.

Photo: Steve Guscott.