Former professional heavyweight boxer Dermot Gascoyne put Cromwell Community College students through their paces on Friday.

Gascoyne organised a series of team-building activities for sixth form students who form part of the college’s young leaders scheme. Once they have completed their mentoring training, they will be able to run sessions for younger pupils.

During his five year career, he picked up wins over British, Commonwealth and European Champions and was a sparring partner for Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis.

Gascoyne, a Sky Sports Living For Sports mentor, said: “I believe that involvement in sport at any level has a positive impact on your overall health and wellbeing.

“Through sport people have an opportunity to engage with others as well as giving them the chance to achieve success.

“I love working with young people. It means that I can pass on some of the values they need to develop and carve out successful and fulfilling lives.

“Sport has taught me the value of hard work, discipline, fairness and respect.”