A teenager from Ellesmere has come up with an innovative idea to help raise funds so that he can have martial arts classes.

Dylan Ashley, 14, has decided to offer his services as ‘Local Boy on a Bike’ in order to earn some extra cash after struggling to find a job due to his age.

The Lakelands Academy pupil has now made posters which have been placed around the town giving examples of why locals may need his assistance, such as ‘are your kids asleep and you need to get to a shop?’, ‘fancy fish and chips delivered to your door?’, ‘are you ill in bed and cannot get out?’ and ‘bad weather stopping you from getting out?’ – among many other ideas.

The youngster, who is a former taekwondo world champion, now hopes that people will take him up on his offer so that he can begin further martial arts training and restart his competing.

Dylan’s mum, Hayley Havers, is now helping her enterprising son find some work by asking locals on social media if they would be interested in the service.

“He’s had no calls yet but lots of likes on the advert,” she said.

“He’s tried to get lots of little jobs locally, pot washing, etc, but he has been refused so he thought he would try and earn some cash to help fund his martial arts training.

“We have had lots of enquiries into rates but he’s had no actual work yet.”

For more information contact Hayley on 07951 275651.