Paralympic swimmer Jessica-Jane Applegate has been given a boost by the support of a local business.

Miss Applegate, of Burgh Castle near Great Yarmouth, has found her sporting career in jeopardy, after the funding of her training was slashed.

Now, Nwes Enterprise Agency has pledged to support the 20-year-old as she looks to raise the necessary funds to keep her career alive.

Miss Applegate recently launched a crowdfunding campaign, after learning her funding was to drop from £21,000 to £11,000, as well as losing the use of a £5,000 grant.

Nwes has now promised to step in and provide the Applegate family with marketing and awareness, in hopes of boosting her campaign.

Her mother, Dawn, said: “We are so grateful to Nwes for assisting us – it is going to take a huge amount of pressure away from us.

“Just knowing that there is a team behind us every step of the way is an incredible feeling.

“Nwes are a local business with similar views and aspirations as us, and we are really looking forward to working together. The future is looking brighter.”

This year, Miss Applegate came home from the Paralympics in Rio with three medals, having previously brought gold back to Norfolk from the London Games in 2012.

She also acts as an ambassador for the Norfolk Community Sports Foundation and Mencap and holds coaching sessions with fellow swimmers across the county,

Kevin Horne, Nwes chief executive said: “Nwes is proud to support Paralympic champion Jessica-Jane. She is an inspiring young person and a superb role model. We will ensure she competes at Tokyo 2020.

“My team will provide Jess and her family with all the support they

need to drive their campaign

forward to reach their fundraising goal.

“This will allow Jessica-Jane to concentrate on swimming, at which she excels.”