A group of Bradford kick-boxers selected to represent England in a major international tournament is desperately struggling to find cash to fund the trip.

Six fighters from The Fight Club kick-boxing group in Sunbridge Road, Bradford, are travelling to Trieste in northern Italy to compete in the WFFO European Championships at the end of this month.

But the young male competitors, ranging from eight to 23, have had an anxious wait for the £2,600 needed to fund the trip. At present there is no governing body set up to officially recognise the sport or fund the fighters.

The city's England hopefuls have had to rely on generous donations to be able to book their places at the competition.

Keith Priestley, 50, who runs the kick-boxing classes at the club and who is the current veterans world champion, said: "To have six international fighters from one squad is absolutely incredible. But £600 of my money and money from parents has gone into seeing that these kids can go.''

Two of the boys included in the England squad, eight-year-old Patrick Lynch and Thomas Simpson, 12, attended the World Championships in Stuttgart last summer.

"We really want the support of Bradford Council, sports people and governing bodies to recognise the sport and help these youngsters,'' said Mr Priestley.

Mr Priestley is hoping to arrange meetings with the chairman of Sport England, Trevor Brooking, and Sport Minister Kate Hoey to try to establish a recognised body which can organise funding for the club and its fighters.

Omar Gulzar Khan, who runs the Shah Jehan Restaurant in Little Horton Lane, has helped to raise the rest of the money needed for the flights and accommodation.

"Myself and a couple of my business colleagues have put more than £1,400 into this,'' said Mr Khan. "There are potential world champions here in Bradford yet no-one really knows about them.

"The club helps to get kids off the street and the tournament will help to give the city of Bradford a better image. If we publicise it now then the club and fighters will hopefully get better funding in the future.''