Former Great Britain forward Jim Mills is in Workington on Sunday as a special guest at the launch of a new book dedicated to the life of Boxer Walker.

‘Big Jim’ who played for Workington in 1977, weighed in at 18 stones as an open side prop, and is considered one of the toughest players in the history of the sport.

Boxer: The Life of a Cumbria Great, tells the story of Arnold ‘Boxer’ Walker, who played for Town, Haven, Cumbria, England and Great Britain and was named the best scrum half in the world in 1980.

The launch is at Derwent Park, before and after Workington Town’s league fixture with South Wales, which kicks off at 3pm.

The authorised biography, which has 355 pages, more than 100 pictures and 105,000 words has already received rave reviews in the rugby league press.

“I loved playing for Town,” says Jim, who was one of the original 13 players inducted into the Widnes Hall of Fame in 1992. “It is an honour to be invited and I can’t wait to catch up with Boxer and all my friends. He is a great lad and one of the best scrum halves I ever played with or against.”

A host of other internationals are attending the launch, including Town forwards Peter and Les Gorley and Harry Beverley. Former Town winger Ian MacCorquodale, better known as Corky, will also be at Derwent Park along with Widnes great Reg Bowden and county forward Bob Blackwood.

The Mayor of Workington, Councillor Mrs Joan Wright will be opening the event. Boxer and the author Mike Gardner will be signing copies from 1pm and members of the public who are not attending the match will be welcome.

Two more launches are planned for next weekend, at Kells derby against Egremont on Saturday and the following day at Haven’s game with Hemel.

● Boxer: The Life of a Cumbria Great is only available at the following outlets from Monday. Bookends in Carlisle and Keswick; Richard James Newsagents, P. and D. Newsagents, Workington; McDowells Newsagents, Whitehaven; Michael Moon bookshop, Whitehaven, Maryport News and Town and Haven club shops.