BURY ABC's ranks were swelled considerably on Monday night when amateur boxers at the club were joined by soldiers from the Royal Regiment First Fusiliers.

Thirteen boxers and two coaches, Sergeant Mark Carling and Lance Corporal Mark Sedgwick, paid a first ever visit to the club as part of their training camp this week in the North West.

The 150-strong group are all soldiers from the First Battalion The Royal Regiment Of Fusiliers Boxing Club and coach Sergeant Mark Carling said the week-long camp is part of their build up training for the Army Major Unit Championships this year.

They spent the night sparring with Bury ABC boxers at the gym and coach Mick Jelley said it was a fun night for everyone.

He said: "I think they enjoyed it because they have asked to come back. "We had five of our lads sparring with them and they trained as well and it was a packed night at the gym."