THE ban on boxing stays despite Bury's conquering hero Ady Lewis winning his second British and Commonwealth title.

It means that the 24-year-old "Mighty Atom" is still unable to defend his championship belt on council-owned premises in his home town.

Ady's manager now worries that the boxer will never be able to fight again in Bury.

Councillors banned professional boxing three years ago. Then, Ady was British champion at flyweight, adding the Commonwealth title months later. Earlier this month he repeated the double at bantamweight.

Tory councillor Roy Walker asked Labour leader Derek Boden to lift the ban at the latest full council meeting.

He pointed out that Bury supported amateur boxing financially, adding that Bury people were proud of Ady and should be allowed the freedom to enjoy a legal sport.

However, Coun Boden said the council had originally acted on medical evidence and circumstances had not changed. "It's beyond dispute that professional boxing results in irreversible injuries," he said. "Our leisure centres are there to promote healthy activities, and professional boxing cannot be included in that."

But Mr Jack Doughty, Ady's trainer and co-manager, said there did not seem to be suitable private venues in Bury.

"We're still having to box away from home, and a lot of people in Bury think that's a terrible shame," he said.

"Ady could go through his career without ever boxing again in his home town."