Champion boxer Amir Khan has opened a boxing club and gym in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

The 21-year-old Olympic silver medallist has put £700,000 of his own money into the facility, called Gloves, to provide young people with access to boxing.

It will also for a part of Network Rail's No Messin' campaign, which highlights the dangers of playing on tracks.

According to Network Rail, the North West is the UK’s worst region for vandalism on the rail network, with 27 per cent of all such incidents occurring in the area.

Amir Khan said: “I’m really proud to open a centre which allows young people of all abilities to learn about boxing.

“I hope that Gloves will provide kids with a place to hang out, get fit and most importantly, keep safe.

Iain Coucher, Network Rail chief executive said: "Lots of young people use the railway as a playground because they think they've nothing else to do.

“Amir has already been a tremendous supporter of our No Messin' campaign, which aims to reduce railway crime by encouraging young people to get involved in healthier activities. This fantastic new centre builds on that partnership.”

The campaign and gym is also supported by the The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).