Sporting icon Frank Bruno left young boxers in awe as he described what it felt like to be crowned world heavyweight champion.

The fighting legend was in Carlisle on Saturday night to speak at a dinner in the Shepherd's Inn.

But ahead of the event he took time out to meet young members of the Border City Amateur Boxing Club (ABC).

Dressed in a bright blue suit and yellow tie, he filled the room with his trademark laugh and "know what I mean" catchphrase.

Seven young fans from the club were invited to have a private audience with Bruno, who is also well known for his fundraising.

They were Nathan Armstrong, 19, Dylan Atkinson, 18, Kyle Peebles, 18, Jake Burn, 16, Dan McCormack, 15, Gabriella Hodgson, 13, and Matt Howe, 12. The superstar took time to ask each one about their own boxing career before allowing them to fire questions at him.

Nathan, a former north west champion, asked how he got into boxing.

"My dad got me into it. He took me down to the boxing gym and bought me my first pair of gloves," said Bruno.

He went on to talk about his first time nerves, but how boxing gave him a focus and stopped him getting into fights on the streets.

Twelve-year-old Matt asked Bruno about his first boxing fight. He said he was only eight, but looked much older and was powerful for his age.

Bruno also talked to the youngsters about the pressure of the bigger fights, when he came up against the likes of Mike Tyson.

"Sometimes you've got to have that mentality. It doesn't matter who is in that ring. It could be Tyson. It could be King Kong. You can't be afraid to fight anyone," he said. "Yes there is a lot of pressure but when the bell goes and someone punches you, you don't care who it is. You get very competitive and your adrenaline, ego and pride all kick in."

Gabriella asked him what it felt like when, after several attempts, he was finally crowned world champion in 1995 - having defeated Oliver McCall at Wembley. "It's a nice feeling," said Bruno. "I had a dream when I first went into a boxing club that I wanted to be world champion, so it's a very beautiful experience when it finally happens."

Gordon Ullrich, one of the founders of Border City ABC, said quite a lot of older club members were already coming to the event to hear him speak. Organiser Ian Milburn then invited some of the younger ones to meet one of the sports most famous household names.

Gordon has his own admiration for Bruno, who famously fought - and almost beat - Tyson during his boxing career.

He said a lot of the young ones grow up hearing about fights like that, and it was great to be able to meet a former world champion.

"When Ricky Hatton was here they let us bring some of them down to meet him and they've done the same again.

"It's fantastic for them to meet someone like Frank Bruno. It gives them something to aspire to," he said.

Afterwards an audience of more than 200 people at the Shepherd's Inn listened as Bruno shared stories from his boxing career and anecdotes from his life in general. The event also featured stand up from north east comedian Terry Joyce and a memorabilia auction.

Organiser Mr Milburn said they would be making donations to Hospice at Home and the Eden Valley Hospice. "It was a great night. Frank Bruno went down really well. He was so humble, accommodating and such a nice man. A real superstar," he added.