A MEMORIAL fund to help amateur boxers has been set up in honour of a popular boxing coach.

Trevor Thompson, of Ivinson Road, Darwen, died last week after a car smash on the M6 in Warwickshire.

His partner, Maureen Gavagan, said the fund was what Trevor would have wanted.

"Helping amateur boxers is what he always wanted to do," she said.

It is hoped the first event to raise money for the fund will be a charity concert in March.

The name of the Blackburn and Darwen Boxers and Movers gym in Grimshaw Street, Darwen, which Trevor ran with friends, may also change to incorporate Trevor's name.

Tributes have poured in since Mr Thompson's death, some from stars of the boxing world including Frank Warren, and Amir Khan who fought on the same bill at Wembley Arena as Trevor's son Gary just hours before the fatal crash. The Bolton-based boxer said: "I am sorry to hear of the accident. I would like to offer my condolences to his family."

The family has also received a card of condolence from the British Boxing Board of Control.

An online message board set up by the Lancashire Telegraph had 61 postings with messages of condolences by yesterday morning.

Blackburn boxer Malik Khan, flying back from Pakistan for the funeral, will be among an expected 1,000-plus mourners.

Maureen added: "Trevor would have been overwhelmed. I used to say If something happened to you it would be like a state funeral'. There could be thousands there.

"It does help to know he was such a well-loved person."

The funeral will be held at St James' Church, Darwen, at 12.30pm on Friday.