Boxer Hatton hands out Duke award

Ricky Hatton with the young people at his gym

British boxer Ricky Hatton has urged a group of disadvantaged teenagers from Powys to channel their energy, during a visit to his gym.

Hatton was presenting the teenagers aged between 14 and 16, with silver and bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

The 11 youngsters from Newtown do not attend mainstream school and some had been expelled for bad behaviour.

Duke of Edinburgh development officer Claire Mills said Hatton was "fabulous" with the young people.

She said they met the IBO world light-welterweight champion at his Manchester gym, and saw him sparring.

He later answered their questions and passed on some advice.

He told them to channel their energy and aggression, and said they'd get more of a buzz from sport than they would from petty crime Claire Mills

"He was fabulous and spent so much time with the young people," said Ms Mills.

"He told them to channel their energy and aggression, and said they'd get more of a buzz from sport than they would from petty crime."

She added the teenagers had "achieved a great deal" to gain the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and had voluntarily agreed to take part in it.

Ms Mills said: "I feel we all need to celebrate young people's achievements, especially the ones that are or were disengaged or disaffected.

"Young people need to be seen more positively in the public eye."

Some of the students have been excluded from school for bad behaviour, but others do not attend because of illness, familty situations and bullying.