A young kickboxer is on the fast track to success after raising more than £2,000 towards his competition in an international sports event.

Alfie Lynch, 14, will be competing in the World Martial Arts Games in South Africa after he excelled during a qualifying event at the University of East Anglia.

The Brandon lad had the daunting task of raising £2,500 to fund his travel and participation in the competition, which takes place between October 14 and 17.

But after a supercharged fundraising effort by mum Natalie Edson he is now just £160 away from his target.

One of the latest donors was chairman of Forest Heath District Council Carol Lynch, who donated £100 to Alfie's cause.

Ms Edson said: 'We're just over the moon, people have been so generous I can't thank them enough. We never thought this was going to be possible.

'Now that Alfie knows the target is in reach he is absolutely buzzing. He has upped his training again to eight hours a week.

'To everyone who has put in time and effort to help us, Alfie and I are really appreciative.'

The Mildenhall College Academy student will be representing team GB in the 'under 55kg' weight category at the games and could face competitors many years his senior.

He will be travelling to South Africa with his mum and brothers Jack, 12, and nine-year-old Richie, who is also a keen kickboxer.

To help him reach his fundraising target, Ms Edson organised a summer fair at the jubilee fields in Mildenhall and a bingo night with Alfie's kickboxing coach Billy Brown. His school also pitched in with fundraising.

Go to Alfie's Kickboxing World Games Facebook page to find out more, or visit gogetfunding.com to donate.