A KICK boxing coach has helped to slash youth nuisance by offering free classes.

Police say Alf Love has won the respect of youngsters in the Stacksteads area, and by getting them involved in the sport, has reduced the level of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.

In 2005, community bobbies struck up a partnership' with former world kick boxing champion Alf, who has coached fighters at Alf Love's Black Belt Academy for about 11 years.

Community beat manager PC Alex Downham secured funding for equipment and Alf, who runs Webb's Cafe, in Newchurch Road, with wife Lesley, agreed to coach bored youths from the area who were getting into trouble.

Based in the top floor of Toll Bar Business Park's unit eight, Alf coaches youths as well as adults, and has about 50 members.

The classes are available to all young people as those who cannot afford to pay don't have to.

Stacksteads police and community support officer Scott Taylor, said from 2005 to 2006 anti-social behaviour in the village dropped by 35 per cent and criminal damage by 36 per cent, following the advent of the project.

He said: "A lot of local kids are heavily involved in the club. They all like Alf and have a lot of respect for him. One of the youngest members is only about four and he loves him to death."

Alf is hoping to be able to send 11 youngsters to the World Championships in Germany this summer, if he can raise the funding.

He has already coached nine members to become world champions including his 13-year-old daughter Chloe who has taken the title five times.

Alf said: "When it first started I took 15 novices to Birmingham and they did really well. It's nice to have people asking what the kids are up to."

And he hopes that the eleven who qualified for Germany, in August, after winning at national finals earlier in the year, will come back with a clutch of medals, as long as the cash can be found.

He said: "It will cost just over £700 for a child to go. They will be away for eight days. They'll start competing straight away and there is two days travelling. Some parents cannot afford it, so we are looking for sponsorship.

"There will be about 30 countries competing."

Everton footballer and Crawshawbooth resident Phil Neville has pledged his support to the young people by agreeing to sponsor a child.

Anyone who can help can contact Alf on 01706 874491.