Ozbox is a hit at Newbold Community School

PCs Darren Comins and Lynn Moore with the Newbold pupils during a recent Ozbox session

After school boxing sessions have become such a hit with pupils at one Chesterfield school that they are being rolled out to another local school.

Weekly Ozbox sessions at Newbold Community School attract dozens of pupils each week.

The 90-minute sessions, run by PC Darren Comins, have been funded by Derbyshire Constabulary and Sport Unlimited as part of the Safer Schools Partnership.

Parkside Community School is part of the partnership and Ozbox training is to be offered to pupils as part of their PE lessons. If there is enough interest the after school sessions will also be rolled out.

Youth Involvement Officer, PC Lynn Moore, said: "By running the sessions at the schools we hope to appeal to more pupils. It has become very successful at Newbold and we hope it will be the same at Parkside."

Ozbox, which was set up in Chesterfield six years ago, is a non-contact boxing-based fitness programme for youngsters aged nine to 19 which combines circuit training and boxing skills to improve confidence.

Sean Monks, Behaviour Support Assistant at Newbold Community School, said: "We held a Super Learning Day recently and pupils got to try out taster sessions for a range of activities. PC Comins came and showed them about Ozbox and they really enjoyed it.

"We regularly get around 25 pupils attending who are all really enthusiastic. It is a great way to promote an active, healthy lifestyle."

For more information about Ozbox call 01246 522304 or email ozbox@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk.