BLACK belt martial arts expert Steven Harbisher is definitely in the frame as one of the world's top Taekwondo fighters.

The teenager, who has just started work for Cleveland police, is heading to Ireland later this month to take part in the junior world games. And he has high hopes of collecting a title.

Currently the best in the country in his class, the 17-year-old from Marton is hard at work training - and settling down to his new job in the force's photographic studio.

Steven has been involved in the sport since he was four - following in the footsteps of his father, Graham. He became a black belt at the age of nine and is currently a third Dan.

He recently spent three weeks in South Korea under the tutorship of a master to improve his skills.

"You have to be dedicated," he said. "My dad has been doing martial arts for 27 years and won quite a few things.

"I started going to a tots' class and it was something I just took to."

Training takes up a lot of Steven's spare time. He has a special training programme for the world games and also teaches at the Yarm Taekwondo Club.

Steven, who hopes to become a police officer, said the trip to Korea has given him some tips.

"It was a culture shock," he said. "I lived with a Korean family. We sat on the floor to eat and slept on the floor."

Working with different masters at different schools, he joined fighting sessions and this gave him ideas for different ways of kicking and improving performance.

"It will all help in the world games," said Steven. "It's a very physical sport but there is also a psychological battle to overcome.

"You have got to beat your nerves and believe in yourself, do what you have been taught and go for it."