A group of Wolverhampton teenagers excluded from school have been given a lesson in how to get a kick out of life without misbehaving.

Around 40 youngsters aged 15 to 17 were put through their paces at the Midpoint pupil referral unit by five times Thai Boxing World Champion Kirk Wood-Walker.

He is a former social worker who now runs a gym in the city and was helped by one of his star pupils Midland champion Kerris Bhella aged 19.

The pair were invited by staff at the Cromer Gardens, Whitmore Reans unit to demonstrate the skills of their sport and encourage the students to have a go themselves.

Manjit Thumber, a support worker at the centre, explained: “We were looking for ways to encourage the pupils to re-channel their energy in a positive way. It was a great success – I have never seen the students so quiet.

“Thai Boxing is a very disciplined sport. It helped get across the point that you have to have discipline if you want to get on in life. The pupils took that on board and also received advice on how to eat and train well.”

Some were offered free three month membership of the Firewalker gym run by Kirk in Penn Fields. His visit to the unit went so well that it could become a regular feature.