Boxers from Inverclyde are flying the flag for Scotland on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Canada

Young fighters from Greenock Boxing Club have jetted off to Ontario with their coaches for a week-long training camp and sightseeing adventure.

They will be hosted by their Canadian counterparts at St Catharines BC following their successful visit to Inverclyde in March, which culminated in a sell-out show at Lady Octavia Sports Centre in front of 400 spectators.

A party of 19 set off from the Greenock club's Bawhirley Road gym on Wednesday led by head coach Danny Lee.

He said: "The excitement and buzz off the show here was incredible and we had so many people at it, including the provost, an ex-provost and the local chief of the police.

"We had nearly 500 people in total in the pristine Lady Octavia.

"Now it's our boys' turn to go to Canada and they've been buzzing about it for a long time. "They wouldn't stop talking about it for ages.

"It's like Christmas."

The team were given a warm send-off by family and friends as well as local councillor, Michael McCormick - who helped with the Canadian team visit in March - and one of the club's key sponsors, Thomas Compston, who runs 134 Steak House in Cathcart Street and kindly fed the overseas guests during their stay.

Mr McCormick said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for our kids and I'm sure they'll be really good ambassadors for Inverclyde while they are there. "I spoke to a few of the boys from Canada when they were here and two in particular had never left their home town, so Greenock was the first place they visited.

"The feedback I got from that and about the hospitality shown, not just by the boxing club but Inverclyde in general, was fantastic.

"They loved it here and were really impressed with the organisation by Danny and the boxing club.

"It's great to forge links with them and they are looking forward to a rematch after what was a very successful event in Lady Octavia.

"This is another example of the good work being done by Greenock Boxing Club."

The home leg in March and the return trip to Canada has been made possible thanks to the backing from companies, including security firm Safer Scotland and Hardie's Coaches, and others who sponsored the fighters for their visit to Ontario.

Coach Danny said: "It's unbelievable the help we've had from people and those who volunteered to help. "The biggest one is Sandy Burke and his family who are constantly helping us and allow us to train in their building."