KICKBOXING stars of the future have battled through to win places in the World Championships.

But now the 10 children and four adults face from a Stacksteads academy a new challenge - to raise £820 each so they can make the trip to Switzerland.

So far Alf's Blackbelt Academy, based at Toll Bar, has raised £5,000 to go towards the trip on September 10.

Chief instructor Alf Love, whose daughter Chloe, 10, son Scott, 20 and nephew Garry, 17, are among the championship contenders, said: "We have been all over the world fighting in the WKA World Championships including to Canada, Malta, Denmark, America, Germany and Holland but we are hoping this will be the most successful year ever.

"We have a lot of talented people who have been chosen to represent England going from the club."

He added: "The organisers are currently trying to get Olympic status as there are hundreds of countries who compete every year but as there is more than one governing body it's a case of amalgamating them. It would be fantastic if we were able to compete in the Olympics."

Alf, 45, of Fernhill Drive, is appealing for sponsors to come forward and help take the pressure off parents who are struggling to meet the costs.

Tyrone Elcock, 12, a pupil at Fearns High School, is one of those competing at the world championships for the first time this year.

His proud mum Donna Law, who lives in Bacup, said: "We are really proud of Tyrone for doing so well and getting to this stage but it's been really expensive because the whole family are going to Switzerland to watch. There are some families who have two children competing which will be very costly. We would appeal to all local businesses to help the stars of the future."

The rest of the team who will be travelling with the England squad for the week-long event consists of Megan Barlow, 10, world silver and bronze medallist; Declan Bailey, 10, who is partially blind and won the world championship title last year; Daniel Williams, 11, British silver and bronze medallist; Josh Bailey, 12, double British champion; Joshua O'Connor, 14, who has won three British titles; James Casey, 15, British championship medallist; Steven Mullins, 15, bronze British Championship medallist, and Jamie-Lee Kershaw, 16, a former British champion and world bronze medallist.

The adult representatives Scott and Garry will be joined by Vicky Allan, 22, who has won two British silver medals and Michael Waters, 30, an ex-world champion.

Mr Love has now introduced training every weekday night from 6pm to 7pm at Toll Bar Business Centre, Stacksteads.

"They have grown in confidence from securing a place in the world championships.

"Their achievement is absolutely fantastic."