AT only 11 years old, karate kid Rachel Harrison is already celebrating national success.

Rachel, of Catchgate, near Stanley, won her age group individual kumite for competitors weighing 40kgs and over in the National Children's Championships, in Sheffield.

The Greencroft Comprehensive School pupil has won 19 trophies since she took up karate three-and-a-half years ago.

Karate is a a family affair as brother Lee, who has just turned 11, and mother Clare, also attend the Kihan Karate Club at Stanley's Louisa Centre.

Coach John Hodgson said: "She has not been training that long and she will be due for her black belt in three weeks

"She has come on leaps and bounds since she started. A black belt usually takes about four years.

"I haven't had a great deal of people of that age do it. She is doing very well and she will hold her own with some of the bigger ones at the club."

Rachel's father, Paul, said: "We are really proud of her and what she has achieved."

Rachel said she was looking forward to achieving her black belt.