A BOOK on the life and legacy of British boxing icon, Freddie Mills, has been penned by a Gwent MP.

Chris Evans, who represents the Islwyn constituency as an MP, released the book this month on the post-war sports personality and former world light heavyweight champion.

The book explores the boxer's career and the "darker side" to his life, including his contact with London gangsters and the mystery surrounding his death.

Mr Evans wrote the book over a year and said his interest in the subject matter came from a great aunty who lived in the East End of London and knew the boxer.

The final product is informed by interviews and archival research, including an interview with the late Bruce Forsyth who "spoke at Freddie's funeral and knew him very well", Mr Evans said.

It also contains a chapter on the lost culture of the "boxing booths" and Freddie's visit to the Pontypool area.

"At the moment I'm just hoping the true story of Freddie gets out there and see how things go from there," Mr Evans added.

The book is published by Pitch Publishing and is available on Amazon and in high street book retailers.