THOUSANDS of shipyard workers were given the chance to hear from one of Britain's most successful boxing legends in a frank discussion about mental health.

Pulling no punches, boxing legend Frank Bruno walked onto the stage with the spotlights dancing and Eye of The Tiger blaring out from the speakers, setting the tone for an hour of no-nonsense, matter-of-fact chat about mental wellbeing.

With plenty of comedy thrown in, accompanied by his trademark chuckle, Bruno quite simply brought the topic of mental health down to earth.

His pragmatic approach was, at times, hilarious, and his humble attitude towards his illustrious boxing career didn't fail to impress the crowds.

The off the wall opportunity was organised by BAE Systems bosses in a bid to encourage staff to be more frank about mental health.

But in his own way, with the occasional indecent joke thrown in - such as the way he brought Viagra and periscopes together in one saucy quip, Bruno did what many mental health professionals fail to do.

He showed to the shipyard workforce how mental health affects us all; not just the weak or vulnerable but even someone who was once the world's greatest fighter.

"I am no different to any of you people making submarines," he said.

The rapt crowd heard about the former heavyweight champion's battle with bipolar, the three occasions he was sectioned, but ultimately he proved that there is always "light at the end of the tunnel".

But, he told them, "I'm not going to sit here looking for sympathy", and he offered advice on how physical wellbeing has helped him in his own fight with mental health.

"Go for a walk, go swimming, even a chat and a cup of tea helps, just get yourself out of your comfort zone," he said.

The visit from the boxing legend, witnessed by 2,100 shipyard employees, was organised by the yard's health and safety bosses.

"It's something different, we've never done anything like this before, but we need to do more to help people," said SHE director Ian Burns.