JAMES BICKHAM swaps his Somerset cowshed twice a week to attend a Southampton finishing school.

But this one is slightly different to the sort that turns out well-heeled young ladies. The finishing school Bickham attends is Jack Bishop's professional boxing gym.

Bickham is about to be granted his professional boxing licence to sign with Bishop's pro stable which involves him commuting at least twice a week from Somerset to Southampton, and in the process leaves behind his Taunton cowshed training base for an arch under a railway bridge.

Bickham's cowshed is no straw-filled midden where he spars with the Fresian heifers but a testament to his enterprise.

Having accrued a decent amateur record himself with Taunton ABC, Bickham was disturbed when the club's premises came under threat. "I approached the farmer who owned the shed with a view to turning it into a gym and he was keen.

"We laid a concrete floor, fitted the bags and everything and I now use it as a base," said the 23-year-old, who is scratching an itch by turning pro.

"I want to see how far I can go in this game. I think I have got a good teacher in Jack, I remember the sort of things he did with the likes of Gary Cooper.

"Initially, my ambition is to win an area title, and if that happens, who knows Perhaps a crack at a British title."

Bickham arrived at Bishop's gym through his grandfather Vic Brimble, who served in the same 1st Airborne Division with Bishop.

"When grandad knew I wanted to try and turn professional he suggested I come down here because he knew that Jack had a good record with young boxers," said Bickham, who had the last of 32 amateur bouts in May and should be granted his pro licence any time now.

"At first I'll combine my professional boxing with my job as a trainee electrician but then we'll have to see how it goes."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.