BOXING champion Lee Churcher wants to turn his life around after his jail sentence and keep local youngsters out of crime - by teaching them his sport.

Mr Churcher, 34, who was jailed for four years in 2013 after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine and has recently been released from prison, said he wants to steer youngsters away from crime through boxing – a sport which he said requires discipline and respect.

The boxer, from Ringland, runs three classes a week and said the interest has been “like lightning”, with 35 children signing up in just over a week.

But concerns have been raised by Newport City Council and Newport City Homes over the classes, which are held in a spare back room at Ringland Hair Studio, Ringland Circle.

Mr Churcher runs the hair salon on behalf of his mother but was contacted regarding concerns over the dual use of the premises which were not covered by planning regulations.

The boxer, who beat Barrie Jones to claim the Welsh middleweight title in 2012, said: “It’s a bit of a shame it has come to this. I’m doing this to give a part back to the community, but I’m not going to go without a fight.

“I had a visit from a representative at Newport City Homes and she was really supportive and said there are possibly other premises I could move into.”

A council spokeswoman said the use of the premises for boxing classes was “unauthorised”, with Newport City Homes adding the building should be returned to its intended use as a salon under the planning regulations.

Newport City Homes said: “Having discussed the matter with the Fire Service and the Planning and Building Control Department of the Council, we have been advised of their collective concern regarding the current use of the property.

“We sympathise with Mr Churcher’s aspiration to provide a service in the community, and welcome the opportunity to work with Mr Churcher to try and identify suitable accommodation for this venture.”

More than 600 people have now signed an online petition opposed to closing down the Ringland boxing classes and Mr Churcher hopes an agreement can be reached.

The Welsh middleweight champion said he has an “emotional attachment” to his classes, which he hopes will encourage young people away from crime.

He said: “I want to be back in the community. Yes, I have done what I’ve done and it’s a bad crime. But I’d like to think I’m over that now.

“It’s time for me to give my part back and make sure people don’t follow in the same footsteps. I want to make people understand there is a better path.

“This place is full of ASBOs. People come in to my classes with a bad attitude but afterwards they’re all positive and want to come next week.”

Mr Churcher, who is making his own return to boxing in a competition in Nottingham on March 7, said: “Boxing demands respect and if it’s taught in the right way it can be used to let out aggression.

“When people come in here for a class they don’t go out causing trouble afterwards, mainly because they are too knackered. Getting up to mischief is hard when you’re tired.”

But the ex-soldier and personal trainer said he is feeling positive he will be able to continue the classes, even if it means moving venue.

“The response has been overwhelming. Since I started the classes it’s been absolutely hectic, the kids are just loving it .”