Youngsters from a community boxing club have thanked police after a £3,000 grant saved their gym from closure.

Last October, Leicester City Council warned the Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Club in Braunstone that it would be closed if it did not come up with £5,000 in rent.

The gym has been struggling to collect money from children, who often could not afford to pay.

The club's head coach, Greg Lynch, said the lack of income had forced him to look for alternative means of funding and he asked former Braunstone police officer, Sergeant Will Cheshire, for help.

Sgt Cheshire then secured a £3,000 grant via the police budget from a fund that helps provide activities to keep youngsters occupied.

The money was on top of £2,000 already secured from the ward community fund.

Greg, who volunteers about 25 hours a week at the club, said: "I want to thank Will Cheshire, he's really helped us out of a bad spot.

"The kids round here don't have a lot of money and some can't afford to pay fees, but they come here three or four times a week, so grants such as this are vital.

"The kids wanted to do something to show their thanks, too, so they asked if they could write letters."

The letters will be forwarded to Sgt Cheshire today.

Connor Townsend, 11, wrote: "To Will Cheshire, I am writing this letter to say a big thank-you for your kindness and keeping our boxing club open."

Sisters Sharna, nine, and Dakota Davidson, 10, wrote a joint letter.

It said: "Dear Will Cheshire, Thank you for giving us money to save the gym so it didn't close."

Amateur boxer Taylor Edwards, 14, who also helps train youngsters at the club, wrote: "I help Greg coach the kids and they are all very grateful to hear the gym is staying open. Thank you."

Leicester super-bantamweight Rendall Munroe, who blasted his way to a first-round victory on Saturday against South American Jose Saez at Bolton's Reebok Stadium, reiterated the need for community gyms such as the one at Braunstone.

He said: "My dad used to tell me if I wanted to be boxer I had to be disciplined. Boxing taught me that.

"I started boxing above the Robin Hood pub, in Frog Island, and I had to be there on time, I had to behave and I learnt to listen to people and do what they were telling me.

"Kids need that kind of guidance and community boxing gyms are important when it comes to teaching them respect and discipline."

Sgt Cheshire, now at Hinckley Road police station, said: "We could see what positive work the club was doing and wanted to support it in any way we could. It provides youngsters with a place to go."

The gym has come to an agreement with the council over its rent deficit.

A council spokesman said: "The club applied to the ward community fund for £2,000, and also managed to secure £3,000 for new equipment from the police and the council's community safety team.

"We'll continue to work with the club over the coming months to review the progress made and help where possible."