An inspirational man from Dartford is in England's wheelchair side seeking to secure Rugby League World Cup glory.

Lewis King, from Temple Hill, played and scored a try as the host nation ran riot against Wales in the semi-finals, emerging 125-22 victors.

Tonight's final in Manchester will see England pitted against holders France in a repeat of the same fixture five years ago which saw England narrowly defeated 38-34.

The reigning world champions also saw off the same challengers when the final was held at Medway Park sports centre in Gillingham back in 2013.

Hoping to put a stop to that and help his nation top their rivals is, Lewis King, who has become a mainstay of the international team.

Lewis, 37, has been using a wheelchair since 2009, when a blood clot in his spinal cord left him unable to walk unaided.

He began playing wheelchair rugby in 2016 and was selected to play for the national team just two years later.

Sport was part of his rehabilitation and after briefly flirting with wheelchair basketball committed himself to wheelchair rugby league.

Lewis was selected in the England training squad in 2018 and made his debut the following year when he was also named player of the year.

Since then the winger has become a mainstay of the international squad and has scored several tries at this year's tournament.

Wishing him luck in the final, Dartford North East Kent councillor Kelly Grehan said: "Everyone in Temple Hill, and I'm sure all of Dartford is so proud of Lewis.

"The England Wheelchair Rugby Team have inspired us all and we cannot wait to cheer Lewis and the others on in the final."

The fast-paced sport, which describes itself as "rugby league in wheelchairs", follows a lot of the principles of the running game.

It prides itself on its inclusivity, enabling disabled players like King and a select number of non-disabled players to play on the same team at all levels.

Others from Kent to feature in this year's tournament include Gravesend Dynamite player Dan Grant who plays for the Scottish side, and Irish players Peter Johnston and Rick Rogers from the Dartford Argonauts who take an active role in the community.

England lost narrowly to the French in 2013 and 2017 having won the inaugural World Cup in 2008.

This year's semi-finals saw England cruise past Wales 125-22, while France were made to work hard against a resilient Australia side before emerging victors by a scoreline of 84-40.

The final kicks off at 7.30pm tonight and viewers can watch live on BBC2, or online at BBC iPlayer.