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A young champion bowler has been given a cash boost which he hopes will help propel him to perform at the highest level.

Perry Martin is only 19 but has already made a name as one of the best players in the country.

He was introduced to bowls by his mum, Ann Baker, who worked at Swale Indoor Bowls Centre and used to take Perry along with her.

Aged 17, he was the youngest ever captain, or “skip”, for the England under-25s and, among numerous achievements, he has represented Kent at senior and under-25 level for the past four years.

Earlier this year, the former Minster College pupil won the indoor national under-25 and senior singles. In doing so, he became the first person to hold both titles in the same year.

Next week, he takes part in the National Champion of Champions at Worthing in Sussex at what he described as “the Wembley of bowls”.

The contest is just two days before he travels to Sydney, Australia for an invitational competition.

His ambition is to represent England, to win a world title and to appear in televised matches.

To help him on his way, Perry, who grew up on Sheppey and lived for many years in Sheerness, was presented with a £1,000 grant from the Swale Youth Development Fund at Swale Indoor Bowls Centre on Monday, August 6.

“It was brilliant. I was speechless, I couldn’t believe it,” said Perry. “When you add up what you spend on bowls, it’s not a cheap sport.

“You have to pay to practice. When you play in finals they can be in Nottingham or Torquay so you have to stay overnight.

“What I have received will help with all that expense.”

Fund chairman Carole Nealey said Perry, of Emerald Crescent, Sittingbourne, was a deserving recipient, whose application was approved following an interview with fund trustees.

“Very occasionally we come across people with an exceptional talent and we offer them a bursary from the Richard Moreton Bursary Fund, which was set up during the fund’s recent 25th anniversary year.

“Perry is a delightful young man. He’s very focused and very, very committed.”