A KEEN sportsman who became a top computer games player after being forced to give up sport is raising money for the Bucks Free Press Aitchison's Appeal.

Ross Tolner, aged 17, of Clayfields, High Wycombe, suffered damage to his knee, and thigh, and had a metal pole in his leg for two years after an accident at Wycombe Summit three years ago.

Before the accident he had been a talented basketball player and motor cross rider, and so afterwards he looked for an outlet for his competitive spirit.

He is now one of the top players in the country at Counter Strike - a fast paced war game and is taking part in a sponsored 24 hour challenge at the Explorerers Internet Cafe in Frogmoor, High Wycombe, on Saturday, July 14 from noon.

He said: "It was my mate's idea. I played this game for fun and he couldn't believe how much I was playing it.

"I'd like to do it for charity because it's not right to make money from this kind of thing."

Ross has just finished a BTEC in Computer Studies and hopes to forge a career as a professional gamer.

Failing this, he says he will take the normal nine to five route, working with computers of course.

For more information on the gaming marathon, call Explorers on 01494 5724