A former boxing world champion came to Hitchin to present medals to schoolchildren taking part in a skills programme.

The Comet: John Conteh with Hitchin's Wayne Armstrong Boxing Gym young boxer Nathan HoughtonJohn Conteh with Hitchin's Wayne Armstrong Boxing Gym young boxer Nathan Houghton (Image: Archant)

John Conteh, who was WBC light heavyweight champion between 1973 and 1974, handed out bronze and silver medals to 13 youngsters on the Box Cleva scheme at the Wayne Armstrong Boxing Gym in Station Approach.

Gym owner Wayne said: “He was such a nice man. He had time for everyone.

“Kids get referred to us with behavioural problems, lack of self esteem, or they may have been bullied, and John had time for them all.

“The kids were buzzing after meeting him!”

For more information or to sponsor the gym, call Wayne on 07919 0186529.