MORE than 250 people in less than a month have been to sessions at a new club in Cinderford which aims to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town.

Forest Fighting Fitness at the Miners' Institute in Wesley Road includes boxing, boxercise and healthy lifestyle classes.

The club, run by former boxers Mason Carr and Freddy Thomas, received a £40,000 grant from Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl.

Some 267 people have been to Forest Fighting Fit sessions since it opened a month ago, said Mr Carr.

He said: "It's been two years in the making and the idea is that's it's fun but there is also self-discipline."

Forest of Dean district councillor Bernie O'Neill said: "We've been set up a month and we're getting about 30 people through a night.

"We wanted to get away from it being just boxing and there will be boxercise on alternate nights."

He said that as well as the money from the Commissioner's Fund the project had also received assistance from Gloucestershire Active Together, Bromford Homes and local businessman Neil Ricketts.

Police community support officer Sue Pritchard said she took along 30 youngsters who have either committed, or have been victims, of anti-social behaviour to a taster session.

She added: "Giving them a fresh focus and something to do is really paying off and to the best of my knowledge they've not been involved in any crime since."

Police and Crime Commissioner, Martin Surl said: "I decided, when I took office, that communities like yours can have a really big impact on the well-being of people and on crime levels.

"Young people are the biggest victim group but also commit more crime so we have got to work with them.

"I wanted to do everything to enable young people to make the best choices – this is a good use of police money."