NEWPORT sprint star Mica Moore has some unusual backing in her bid for track glory - the support of her local butcher.

The 21-year-old Cardiff Metropolitan University student is being sponsored by butcher Mark Asheden, of Palfreys Butchers in Maindee who have followed Mica throughout her career.

The butcher's store will be supplying the athlete with meat such as chicken and turkey suitable for her training schedule and provide funding.

Mr Asheden, 44, from Ringland, said the sponsorship was a logical partnership due to the link between healthy eating and exercise.

He said he felt that a lot of meat products are aimed at men and wants to cater for a female audience.

“I have served her mother for a few years and we just got talking about sponsorship through a discussion on protein levels in chicken etcetera," he said.

“I have a friend who does body building so I do a lot of meals for him.

"This is the happiest I have ever been working with someone.

“I want her to win a gold medal.”

Mr Asheden will also be providing kit for Mica to wear during warm up and cool down.

This sponsorship has come at an exciting time for Mica who has already won the women’s senior 60m at the Cardiff Met and Welsh Athletics New Year Classic Grand Prix this year in a new lifetime best of 7.50 seconds.

The new record sets Moore up for the Welsh Indoor Championships on January 24 and January 25 and continues her forward momentum following a successful 2014.

The Birchfield Harriers athlete, who previously ran for Newport Harriers and Cardiff Amateur Athletics Club, helped the Welsh women’s 4x100m relay squad set a new national record at last summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Moore then won the prestigious President’s Award for female sprinter of the year at the Birchfield Harriers annual awards dinner.

Mica, who will travel to Arizona tomorrow for warm weather training over three weeks, is gearing up for the British University Championships in Bedford on May 2-4 where she will take part in the 100m and 200m.

Mum Lolita Byfield –Moore, said: “Mica is really excited about the prospect of having a sponsors, she tells me that it shows that someone believes in her even at this stage of her athletic career but more importantly because Palfreys have a range of Gluten free products.

“It just gives her confidence to know that there are people out there that believe in her and want to support her.”

The butchers plan to have a weekly promotion inviting Mica along for her feedback on their latest tailor-made products.

Mica who trains every day predominantly eats chicken for protein and favours gluten free meats which have been proven to improve performance.