Two disabled athletes from Keighley have been picked to represent the UK in the World Special Olympics.

James Crossley and Chris Woodhead are two of just seven athletes in Yorkshire chosen for the national squad for the Los Angeles games.

They will travel to the US in summer next year to compete in power-lifting against athletes with learning disabilities from across the globe.

James, from East Morton, and Chris, from Haworth, were chosen following their medal-winning success in the UK Special Olympics last summer and national weightlifting competitions.

The pair regularly attend sessions run by Bradford Disability Sports & Leisure (BDSL), including the Keighley Sports Academy, which is funded by Keighley Town Council.

Former Beechcliffe School student James, 20, now attends Shipley College and volunteers at Baildon Recreation Centre. He has travelled to Bradford’s twin town of Hamm several times to compete with BDSL against German sports teams.

Chris has competed nationally in powerlifting for several years.

Keighley Mayor, Councillor Sally Walker, is pleased the town council has helped set the young men on the road to Los Angeles.

She said: “These sports are not nationally funded, so they’re dependent on money like this.”

BDSL needs to raise £13,000 to fund James and Chris’s trip to the US. E-mail bsr1@btconnect.com if you can help.