A PENSIONER is appealing for sponsorship to travel to South Africa next year to represent England in the blind bowling World Championships.

Doris Bryant, 69, of Withy Grove Crescent, who plays for Preston Blind Bowling Team, is hoping to go to Johannesburg with husband Roy next April to compete in the singles competition of the 2005 International Blind Bowls Association's World Championships.

But she has to raise £1,000 for herself and help to raise a total of £50,000 for the 12-strong team.

The English National Association of Visually Handicapped Bowlers have to raise the money themselves as they do not get any government or Sport England funding. She said: "I'm sure I'll manage it because I'm going to have lots of coffee mornings and I've got a sponsor form with plenty of people on it. I'm confident I'll be able to go."

Mrs Bryant, who is registered blind, will compete with coach Bernard Gladwin, who gives her advice on where to bowl to get closer to the jack.

It is the first time she has competed in a World Championship competition and has worked her way up through various tournaments across the country to secure herself a place on the England team.

It is certainly a far cry from when she started playing bowls with her husband on Moor Park eight years ago

She said: "I was really pleased when I found out but I'm a bit nervous too because I've not done it before.

"It's a whole fortnight of competitions so it will be hard work but I'm really hoping to win."

To make a donation to help the England team contact 01502 514700.