Published: 07/03/2002, Volume II2, No. 5795 Page 16 17

Britain's first Champs Camp has been launched in Carlisle to encourage deprived youngsters to get fit.

The non-contact boxing gym, based in the town's Raffles area, is being led by former superfeatherweight boxing champion Charles Shepherd and has been backed by£10,000 from North Cumbria health action zone.

Mr Shepherd was inspired after seeing the success of a similar project a decade ago set up in Manchester's troubled Moss Side.

He said: 'The training I do to keep fit as a boxer is the best cardiovascular exercise. I'll be encouraging the children who come to the Champs Camp to get involved in keeping fit, rather than hanging around on the streets. I am not looking to create world champions here - It is a non-contact gym - but I can help point them in the right direction.'

Barrie Thomas, director of the Living Well Trust that is running the scheme, said: 'There is a lack of opportunity for youngsters who live in Raffles and we wanted to be able to give them a focus, teach them how to respect each other and give them a sense of self-value.'