A TRAINEE beauty therapist has notched up a kung fu victory.

Rebecca Carey, 17, who works at the Visage salon, in Langley Park, has just returned from the World Kickboxing Association's World Championships, in Cyprus, with a bronze medal.

Rebecca, who is rated purple sash and training to be a brown sash, one belt down from black belt status, beat off stiff opposition to come third in the women's 55kg competition.

She said she was thrilled with her achievement.

Rebecca first caught the eye of coaches of the North-East Destroyers Kung Fu Club, which entered her in last year's World Championship qualifying event, in London.

Since then, she has more than lived up to the expectations of head coach George Carr.

Her qualifying win ensured her one of the four places in the English team for the world championship.

Now Rebecca, who lives in Langley Park, is hoping to set up her own club, in September.