Actor Ray Winstone (centre) supports the club's plans, flanked by Lion Club chairman Alan Parry (left) and Cllr Philip Glanville, Hoxton Ward.

Hollywood heavyweight Ray Winstone threw his support behind a popular boxing and youth club’s plans to rebuild their crumbling premises.

The Lion Club, is set to submit plans to Hackney Council that would see the property in Pitfield Street, Hoxton, completely rebuilt to encompass new, improved facilities, paid for by flats on the upper floors.

The actor, who is known for playing tough guys and starred in Scum, is friends with the club’s supporters and said: “Clubs like this are vital in keeping kids off our streets and for the local community. I am supporting them 100 per cent.”

Chairman Alan Parry took the A-lister and Hoxton ward’s Cllr Philip Glanville on a tour to show them the dilapidated building on June 1. Despite the poor condition of the centre, hundreds of youngsters attend the club each week.

Alan said: “It is great to have the support of everyone who knows the club, from local people to international movie stars. We just hope that when the planning application to build the new club goes to the council, they can see the good work we are doing and what this application will mean for our future. At the end of the day it is all about doing the right thing for local children.”