BATTLING youngster Jamie Woodend is overcoming his cerebral palsy by kicking it into touch with his karate skills.

The 11-year-old boy from Darlington, County Durham, has just gained his brown belt in Sukona karate, after taking it up two years ago.

When Jamie took up the martial art he could barely lift his legs more than two inches from the ground, but with support from his family and the dedication of his coach Mike Grieves, he is now setting his sights on a black belt.

A pupil at North Road Primary School, Jamie took up the sport with his mother Sharon Cran, who has also managed to gain her brown belt.

Jamie's two brothers, Andrew, 15, and Christopher, six, also practice karate, while his sister Gemma is a student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College.

Sharon, 39, said: "He is so determined and individual, he just won't give up, and he hasn't let cerebral palsy stop him.

"I couldn't get time off work when he went for his brown belt, but a friend sent me a text and I just burst into tears, I was so proud.

"A lot of thanks has to go to his coach Mike, who has been very patient with Jamie, but still works him very hard."

Jamie's condition means his brain struggles to send the right signals to his arms and legs, which makes coordination a constant battle.

In 1998, The Northern Echo stepped in to help him when he was turned away from a pub play area in Darlington because he was wearing leg braces.

Jamie was left very upset, so we treated him and his family to a trip to Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire for a day to cheer him up.