Olympic boxing role for county hero Richie

Richie Woodhall, one of Shropshire's most successful ever sportsmen, has been given a major role in helping Britain to a bumper crop of medals at the London Olympics in 2012.

Woodhall, who still lives in Telford, has been named as Olympic consultant for the Amateur Boxing Association and will work closely with the latest batch of talented young boxers who will be gunning for glory on their home patch.

The former WBC super-middleweight champion will work at the National Institute of Sport in Sheffield on a part-time basis, joining the ABA's high performance director Robert McCracken for two days a week.

And he will be able to draw on his own Olympic experience, having landed a bronze medal as an amateur at Seoul in 1988.

"This is a real feather in my cap and I'm absolutely delighted," said 41-year-old Woodhall.

"I will be coaching as well as consulting and it's a fantastic chance for me to be involved in what is going to be a very special event.

"I sparred hundreds of rounds with Robert when we were both professionals, and to be working with him again will be great.

"There are very exciting times ahead and I think our boxers have the chance to be really successful in two years time."