KICKBOXER Jason Morrison achieved a lifelong dream by winning gold at the British World Association of Kickboxing Organisations Championships.

The dad-of-five, who runs the Bolton Dragons martial arts centre in Halliwell, overcame Peter Savage to win the 84kg points title in the veterans division.

He will now go on to represent Britain in the world WAKO finals in Hungary in November and has ambitions to become the first Boltonian to win gold at the championships.

Two kickboxers from the town have won silver in the past – Shoria Martial Arts instructor Joe Tierney and Morrison's 25-year-old son Lewis, who just missed out on winning a senior title when he was 18 years old.

"I really want to bring that gold medal back for the town, the club and my family," said the 46-year-old, who lives in Barrow Bridge.

The dedicated family man, who also has a 24-year-old daughter, Leasha, and three young children, Lawrey J, aged seven, Laycee May, five, and Rusty Parker, three, started in the sport aged 11.

He won his first medal - a bronze - at the British WAKO Championships aged 30 and has since added three silvers and another bronze.

Morrison suffered a dislocated knee in a veterans final two years ago and was beaten by the same opponent last year.

So to finally claim the title was all the more sweet.

"I have worked so hard over the years, I can't quite believe it has finally happened," he said.

"I was close in the final last year but I got nervous when my opponent started to target the knee he dislocated the year before and I lost it in the final seconds.

"This year I had my three youngest cheering me on at ringside so it was so special to get the gold for them.

"Only the winners qualify for the world finals, so I am already in training five days a week for that. I just hope I can do them proud again."