Martin Brockman is hoping to follow in the footsteps of one of Britain's finest Olympians, Daley Thompson, by winning gold in the decathlon in London.

The 21-year-old, of Gleneagles Drive, is the first Olympic hopeful we are featuring in this series about Maidstone's brightest young athletes.

He will be featured on the www.maidstonesdream.co.uk website, where businesses can link up with him to help him train and prepare for his bid to become a gold medal winner.

Martin is already training full-time, but has taken a series of part-time jobs to fund his preparations.

He said: "While at school my PE teacher suggested I tried athletics at my local club, I went down trying to be an 800m runner but soon found out that wasn't going to be the case. After trying a number of events I started to specialise in the high jump but later moved on to the decathlon after winning the Kent Championships."

Martin has now been training full-time for three years, and says his biggest achievement so far was when he was selected to compete for Great Britain for the first time, in July 2008.

He said: "I competed in an under 23 competition held in Ashford. Being so close to home I was supported by my family, friends and some of the athletes I coach as I broke the 7,000 point barrier for the first time.

He said: "In 2010 I am planning to compete at the Commonwealth Games before competing at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and then all World and Olympic Championships from then onwards.

"The only person in decathlon I can aspire to be like is Daley Thompson. He holds the British record, which won him the Olympic Games, World Championships and Commonwealth Games. If I could achieve close to what he did I would consider myself successful."

His preparations include doing training sessions every day for 12 consecutive days, followed by two days of rest.

He has signed up to the Maidstonesdream website, which was set up by Maidstone council, to help support him through the gruelling training.

He said: "Sponsorship money is crucial to me reaching the Olympic Games. I currently have to train two sessions per day as well as work several part-time jobs to fund my training. If I were to receive sponsorship I could buy some of the equipment I am unable to buy at present as well as hopefully give up some work so I could focus more time on my training.

"Over the last three years I have been dedicated to making it to the Olympics and plan to continue to do so over the next three years leading up to the competition.

"I am currently the fastest improving decathlete in the country and am now on target for my goal. Unfortunately as I become better at my sport it becomes increasingly expensive which is why I need sponsorship.

"I truly believe I can make it to the Olympics but nobody can do it on their own."

If you are interested in helping Martin, log on to www.maidstonesdream.co.uk