THE NEW Emeralds Boxing Club are hoping to unearth a few gems in Chippenham after opening their doors last weekend.

The newly-founded amateur club, which makes its home near the West End Working Mens club on Audley Road, has been set up by local former professional boxer Liam Lathbury.

The 31-year-old, who had eight pro bouts at super-middleweight between 2000 and 2003, has recruited a host of former Calne ABC coaches and is hoping that the Emeralds will become a shining light in his home town.

“We’ve all been a team for a while and we’ve always found that there are a lot of boxers who come from Chippenham - it’s just always been a case of waiting for the right place to become available,” said the Emeralds head coach.

“We wanted to start a club that has a proper soul and will be something that the town can be proud of.

“We’ve already got 15 fighters signed on and we’ll be looking to host two shows a year to begin with - the West End club have already kindly agreed to let us use their function room.

“We’re the Emeralds because our fighters are going to be gems.

“Most clubs wear black or red so we chose green because we want to stand out and when we go to shows, people will know we’ve arrived.

“Our aim is to get the right kids involved and make this club into the biggest in the South West.”

Sessions at the Emeralds club will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6-9pm, and on Sunday mornings.

For more information, call Lathbury on 07717 858188.