HE may only weigh just over three stones but little Jake Horner is punching - and kicking - well above his weight.

The five-year-old from Tonge Fold is getting ready to fight in a North-west Thai Boxing competition.

A regular at Bolton Thai Boxing Club, Jake has already fought in eight bouts and will contest the 20 to 22-kilogramme weight category.

Fights for children normally consist of three one-minute rounds and fighters, who wear full head and body protection, are not allowed to hit each other in the head.

On Saturday Jake will fight a five round bout in a bid to clinch the title. But his dad Jeff will not be able to watch.

He said: "I will have to get somebody else to video it because I will get nervous. I'll just stand there shaking and shouting! It will be great if he wins, but the belt will be bigger than him!

"I think it comes naturally to him. He absolutely loves it and usually trains three times a week."

Bolton Thai Boxing Club is run by trainer Sandy Holt, who is also the voice of Channel Five's Night of Combat. Mr Holt is running the Interclub competition at the club in Brown Street on Saturday.

Also among the fighters taking part is 15-year-old Emma Bragg who will compete in the 45-kilogramme division.

Mr Holt is campaigning to make Thai-boxing a more mainstream sport.

His TV show, which features professional Thai boxing bouts, is broadcast at 2am on Saturday mornings. Mr Holt said: "It's really popular and we are trying to get people to email and write to Channel Five and ask them to put it on at a decent hour."

For more information about Bolton Thai Boxing Club call 395807.