Scotland's oldest amateur boxing club was reopened on Thursday following a £250,000 makeover.
 
Leith Victoria AAC Boxing Club, which was set up in 1919, has trained two world champions - Flyweight Johnny Hill and Super Featherweight Alex Arthur. The building is also being used by one young member hoping to make it to the London 2012 Olympics.

However, the facilities had become dated and now, the historic gym has become the second building in Leith to be refurbished using cash from the £9 million Leith Townscape Heritage Initiative.

Councillor Jim Lowrie, Planning Convener for the Council, said: "The Victoria Boxing Club is one of the many significant buildings which give us a glimpse into Leith's rich and diverse past.

"It is wonderful that many of them can be preserved, thanks to The Townscape Heritage Initiative."

The new look gym was unveiled by club president Joe Fortune and treasurer Douglas Fraser on Thursday, in a ceremony attended by current and former boxers.

The club was initially founded by Leith shipworkers, but went on to act as the training ground for champions. Edinburgh-born alumni Johnny Hill became Scotland's first champion in 1928 while Alex Arthur recently took the WBO super featherwight championship.

It is now hoped the refurbishment will lead to increased membership, sponsorship and event hosting.