Two brothers from Droylsden found the perfect way to pay tribute to the much loved great granddad they idolised, who died last year.

Former Olympian boxer Tommy Proffitt, who was Droylsden born-and-bred, sadly passed away at the age of 97 in March last year. One of Britain's oldest Olympians, Tommy represented Great Britain in the boxing when London held the Olympic Games in 1948.

A much respected figure in the boxing world, the Tameside fighter's Olympic experience was short but not so sweet, beaten in the first round by Mexican Edel Ojeda. But it helped launch a five-year professional career that took him to the verge of a British title fight.

Tommy was taught to box by his dad and fought as a schoolboy at the long since demolished Alhambra in Openshaw, John Street Club in Droylsden and Wheeler Street Youth Centre. He later fought in the services, becoming RAF featherweight champion and also defeating a former USA Golden Gloves champion while based in Germany.

After his Olympic experience Tommy, a maintenance engineer by trade, joined the paid ranks. He won 34 of his 48 fights and lost a British bantamweight title eliminator to one of Scotland’s finest ever fighters, Peter Keenan.

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He was also beaten twice by Nigerian born Hogan 'Kid' Bassey, who later became world champion. He retired after suffering a defeat to Northern Ireland’s European bantamweight champion John Kelly.

But great-granddad Tommy kept his links with the sport after hanging up his gloves. He ran the LNER Club on Ogden Lane in Openshaw and was President of Manchester Ex Boxers' Association.

Following Tommy's death last year his great-grandchildren, seven year old Harry and six year old George, have missed him immensely, their mum Rachel Caton said. Rachel, 32, also from Droylsden, said her boys "loved" and "idolised" Tommy.

"They knew all about his boxing and were always pretend boxing with him, stuff like that. They absolutely loved him - they idolised him. They were always putting on his medals," Rachel said.

She said their great granddad was always telling them stories of his boxing days and getting his old photographs out, adding: "They couldn't believe it was him, because he looked so different back then."

Last week the school Harry and George attend, Inspire Academy in Ashton, held a 'come dressed as an idol' day. For the brothers, it was an easy decision to come dressed in costumes that honoured their great granddad Tommy and all that he achieved in his boxing career.

Remembering her sons' idol, Rachel said she too was proud of Tommy, saying: "He trained kids from backgrounds who didn't have a lot of money and gave them something to aim for. We are proud of everything he achieved."