Warning: This article contains an account of depression and suicide.

Northampton’s Ashley Lane says “boxing kept him going” as he fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming British champion last Friday.

The 33-year-old stopped Chris Bourke to win the bantamweight title at York Hall in London.

Lane set himself that goal as a teenager but said he has been on a “massive journey of self-discovery and resilience”, having suffered with depression and homelessness.

Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton Sport he said: “I did leave home at 18. I’ve had to sleep in my car.

“I used to train, I’d leave the gym, go and get some food and I’d head back and sneak back into the gym to sleep on the sofa.”

He explained that boxing and those close to him, like former amateur coach John Daly, helped him through the darkest moments.