An initiative which teaches young people to focus their aggression through sport and healthy living has been rolled out in north Watford.

Box Cleva teaches nine to 15-year-olds the discipline behind boxing including the training, nutritional advice and drugs awareness classes.

The programme is now running at Leavesden Green Community Centre, Clark Way, Watford, every Wednesday from 4.30pm.

The scheme was the idea of watch commander Bob Williams, who works for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. He launched a pilot in Borehamwood in the summer of 2010.

Following its success, it expanded to a number of other venues in the county before launching in north Watford.

County Councillor Richard Thake said: "It’s great to see Box Cleva coming to north Watford, building on the success of the programme elsewhere in the county.

"Box Cleva is a community safety partnership initiative which helps to promote safer neighbourhoods and wellbeing in young people.

"It currently caters for 20 boys and girls per area and takes referrals from schools, Crown Prosecution Service or other groups. It is an innovative way to help teach children to channel aggression in a safe environment."

All schemes are funded by the fire service and local authorities and run for 40 weeks in the year, one day a week for two hours.

Trainers are fully qualified by the Amateur Boxing Association of England and guest visitors have included British, Commonwealth, European and World boxing champions and Olympic medallists.

For more information and a registration form go to the Box Cleva website at www.boxcleva.net A token payment of £1 is requested to pay for medals at an awards ceremony in the summer.