THAI boxer Terry Anderson, of Newton Aycliffe, has become a British champion for the first time.

Mr Anderson, 23, a member of the Darlington Boxing Martial Arts Academy, travelled to Glasgow to challenge the home favourite Billy Bonner for the British light-welterweight title.

Mr Anderson, who works at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, said: "I certainly thought I had won every round. I dropped Bonner in the second round, and he got an eight count and I thought he wasn't going to get back up but the crowd willed him on.

"His leg eventually went and he collapsed on the floor during the fifth round so I got a technical knock-out.

"I was determined to win and in the end I think I wanted it more than him."