A St Matthew’s Academy pupil is delighted after being selected to represent Scotland in the European Taekwon-Do Championships 2018.

Fraser Byers from Saltcoats will join the Scottish National Team at the event in Tallin, Estonia, in April.

The 14-year-old took part in the junior version of the European Championships last year in Liverpool but lost out due to an injury. He is therefore more determined than ever to come home with a medal this time.

Fraser’s proud dad Brian told the Herald: “He’s been selected for the Scottish National Team in the European Championships in Estonia. He’s nervous but excited – he’s really excited.

“He’s been training since November, but he only got the email [informing him he’d been selected] two days ago.

“We’re over the moon that he’s been picked again. The last European Championships he got through to the next stage, but he pulled his hamstring and lost by one point. He would have got a bronze if that hadn’t happened, so he’s really going for it this time.”

Fraser is a member of United Kingdom Taekwon-Do Council (UKTC) and trains four times a week, twice at St Matthew’s Academy and twice at Ardrossan Civic Centre. The teen will spend a full week in Estonia for this April’s championships. He will be joined by Brian, mum Alison, and his brother and sister, twins Sam and Lucy, 12.

Brian said: “We’re going out as a family. At the last one, even though it was in Liverpool, we couldn’t take the kids.

“Taking them to see their big brother at a big competition, it’s nice to do as a family. They’ll have their Saltires with them.”

Brian added: “If any local companies would like to sponsor Fraser, he can wear their logo.”

Any companies interested in sponsoring Fraser should contact UKTC on 01786 845060 or you can donate to Fraser's cause here.