Ref. 29998-03SHAHZAD Zafar is hoping to fight his way into Swindon's martial arts scene after opening a new store.

Family firm Topstar, which specialises in accessories, officially opened for business in County Road on Saturday.

And Mr Zafar, 36, is confident the demand is there to pack a real punch.

He said: "I used to do a lot of martial arts in my younger days and I am still in close contact with people involved in martial arts in Swindon.

"They have always said that someone should open an accessory store here.

"There are a lot of academies in the town but people do not have a wide choice at the moment.

"Many have to order over the phone and they don't get to see the equipment."

The entrepreneur's father, Zafar Hussain, makes the products from a factory in their native Pakistan.

A cousin in Germany also has a shop.

"My family has been involved in the martial arts business for 25 years now," added Mr Zafar.

"I have been born into it and know how to make it a success."

Mr Zafar, who has lived in Swindon for 20 years, said: "Because we produce a lot of our own stock we are able to keep prices down and pass that on to customers.

"Life is easy because my family and I know the martial arts business very well after being involved in it for so long."