The official opening of the Rumbles Boxing Academy was a knock-out success.

Mayor of Swale Cllr George Bobbin and Mayoress Brenda Bobbin cut the ribbon at the Castle Road centre on the Eurolink Industrial Estate.

Welterweight champion Bradley Skeete packed a punch when he put in an appearance.

More than £7,000 has been spent converting a dilapidated building on the estate after the club was forced to vacate its nearby former home when the landlord sold up.

The boxing gym is owned by Charlie Rumble, who is head coach. President of the club Lee Dunne said that the five-week transformation of the building involved installing a new boxing ring, as well as changing facilities for men and ladies.

Swale borough councillors, who donated £2,200 from members’ localism grants to support the club, were also in attendance.

Mrs Dunne said: “The club has now attracted female members and we have seen a doubling in the numbers of seven to 11-year-olds attending.

“We’ve had fantastic support from the councillors to make it all happen.”