YOUNGSTERS are flocking to sign up at boxing clubs across Bolton to try and follow the footsteps of Olympic hero Amir Khan.

Organisers are delighted at the new wave of enthusiasm for the sport following Khan's silver medal success at the Games in Athens last month.

Willingness to get into the ring appears to have soared and coaches are insisting that as Khan's success continues, so will the sport.

Eddie Birchall, head coach at New Bury Amateur Boxing Club, said: "We've not had as many people interested in boxing since Rocky came out at the cinemas.

"We've more than doubled in the past month since the Olympics and more are coming down every week."

Mr Birchall, who has been involved in amateur boxing for more than 20 years, said boxing - which previously attracted mainly white youngsters - is starting to draw more interest from Asian communities in the town.

"It's very encouraging to see the Asian lads start coming down," he said. "Traditionally, we have seen mainly kids from white backgrounds but it's not hard to understand why they're coming."

More than 40 youngsters aged between 11 and 22, were at the club's base in New Bury Community Centre, Buckley Lane, Farnworth, on Sunday for fitness work, coaching and a sparring session.

A small corner of the centre is devoted to 17-year-old Khan, who briefly trained at the club around four years ago before moving to his current base in Bury.

Newspaper cuttings which show a fledging Khan in the ring surround a huge marker pen signature.

"We got him to do that before he hit the big time," said Mr Birchall. "I knew from one look that he was going to be something a bit special.

Among the new devotees at the training session on Sunday was 22-year-old Kenny Mann, of Leinster Street, Farnworth. "I've been coming for three months now but seeing Amir Khan at the Olympics has given me something to aim for," he said.

"It's inspired a lot of lads and shown us what we can achieve. Everyone wants to do what he's done and he's a role model for a lot of people.

Khan's coach, Mick Jelley, wants to raise the profile of boxing. He said: "We've got to get it more back into the mainstream," he said.

"Amir had 20 million people watching him the other week. That shows how interested people are.

"Boxing has been dying out in the past 10 years but if we need bring it back and make sure we have a few more boxers at the next games."

John Hart, head coach at Bolton Lads & Girls Club, where Khan began his career as an eight-year-old, said boxing has never been as popular with youngsters.

Mr Hart, who refereed Khan's first bout, said: "The place is absolutely packed. The gym is not big enough to cope with the demand. We are having to buy new equipment.

"Amir Khan has lifted the profile of boxing to where it should be. We've been inundated with kids taking part in the new boxing sessions we have."