AN amateur sportsman has been bowled over by the kindness of supporters who helped him raise £2,000.

After he appeared in the Evening Times in February, neighbours stepped forward to help Daniel Masters achieve his goal of competing in Europe.

The ten-pin bowler also received support from friends, his parents' colleagues and the Lord Provost Fund.

And now he will represent Scotland at the Youth European Ten-pin Bowling Championships in Odense, Denmark which start tomorrow.

His mum Elizabeth said: "We want everyone to know how grateful we are. The response has been overwhelming and we just can't thank people enough.

"The day after Daniel was in the Evening Times our neighbours popped a wee note through the door wishing him good luck - and £100.

"A parent at his school gave two tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters to be raffled and my husband's work, Insite Contracts Ltd, gave money too.

"Receiving £750 from the Lord Provost Fund was enough to let us reach the target. We have been humbled by the support."

Daniel, from Springboig, has been ten-pin bowling for 10 years and eventually would like to use his sport to win a scholarship to the US.

In Odense he will come up against some of the top competition from across Europe.

The 16-year-old hopes if he does well he will then be invited to play at the World Championships in Nebraska next year.

Daniel, a St Mungo's Academy pupil, began ten-pin bowling at the age of six and a coach spotted his talent.

He has been dedicated to the game ever since - with support from his family who travel to all his games.

Dad George and sister Erin, 12, go with Daniel and Elizabeth to compete at around the country.

Elizabeth is keen for ten-pin bowling to be recognised as a sport.

She says young players use the equivalent of half a ton in bowling balls per game.

And it is a constant struggle to raise funds to ensure Daniel to reach the level needed to compete in America.

Elizabeth, 46, said: "I'm not going to tell Daniel he can't follow his talent just because of financial restrictions.

"He has a huge talent for this sport and I know he could go very far with it, if he gets the chance to practice and to compete.

"His school has been amazing and his coach, John Kilpatrick, is very supportive - we just need to keep pushing to get him to the US."

Daniel plays for C&C Bowling Club, which practices on Saturday mornings at 10am.

Elizabeth said the team is always looking for more members and anyone wanting to join or try out the sport will be welcome.