Men are being offered boxing classes to combat a rise in depression and anxiety in the capital.

NHS bosses are funding the “boxercise” pilot to attract men who may be put off by conventional therapy. The noncontact exercise “treatment” is run by three-times world champion boxer Duke McKenzie in Croydon.

New figures reveal more than a third of London men say they feel “worried” or “low.” The findings by health charity Mind show only 16 per cent would see their GP if they were feeling depressed — half the number of women.

Mind warned the recession is set to make matters worse with one in seven men developing depression within six months of losing their jobs. Paul Farmer, Mind's chief executive, said: “The NHS must become male-friendly' offering exercise or computerised therapy.”

Leigh Bailey, 37, who attends McKenzie's classes and has spent years fighting depression, said: “I feel much fitter, more confident and am eating and sleeping better.”