ELISE Ballantyne's karate skills have earned her a black belt at the age of only nine.
Elise, from Long Newton, started to learn karate when she was just five and has since risen through the ranks to become a black belt.
Her proud father, Tom Ballantyne, said: "We wondered if she was a bit young at five but it has given her confidence, it helps her remember things and it's good exercise.
"She's going to carry on with it, not least because she's made good friends. Some of her friends from school have even decided to join her."
Elise attends Martin Ashton Martial Arts class in Middlesbrough.
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