A WRESTLER will be flying the flag for England and Bolton as he goes for gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Westhoughton's Charlie Bowling will be one of the competitors in Friday's 65kg wrestling class contest.

Mr Bowling recently flew out to Brisbane for training before moving to the athletes village at the Gold Coast.

He said “It’s a big thing to be representing my country. The Commonwealth Games to us is like the Olympics. It’s a major sporting event and I really am excited.

"Going to the Games has been a big goal for me over the last few years. I’ll be going for gold, but I’d be happy to bring back any medal."

The 21-year-old claimed his very first British Open Title during the senior championships in November.

He has recently sought help from the Westhoughton Rotary Club, which has provided sponsorship towards the cost of his training leading up to the games.

Club president Bernard Howes said: "As a local lad and British senior champion, he’s already represented our country across the world and we felt that he deserved some local funding to help him pay for the kind of training which would prepare him to compete at the highest level.

"He’s been in touch from Brisbane where the wrestlers have been preparing before moving into the athletes village in the Gold Coast on Sunday.

"Charlie has sent us another big thank you for our help and support together with a photograph of him in the city.”

The Commonwealth Games had its opening ceremony on Wednesday and is due to end on Sunday.