Kelly Dutton has become a European junior champion just nine months after taking up tae kwon-do.

The 15-year-old from Hove sealed her triumph in the semi-contact light heavyweight sparring at Kettering in only her second ever competition following a runners-up performance in the South East of England Championships.

She said:"It feels good to be a champion. It has given a fantastic boost to my confidence.

"I think I've managed to achieve it so quickly because I'm dedicated, I turn up regularly for training sessions, and have a good coach at my club in Ken James.

"I had three fights but the final match was the toughest. I got caught early in the stomach and it winded me, but I got in a back-fist to the head and we were drawing 2-2 when I caught her with another just a split-second before the whistle blew."

Kelly, a member of the Taekwon-do Association of Great Britain's Brighton club, only took up the martial art derived from karate and involving kicking and punching techniques, self defence and the practice of patterns, through her father Phil after she had considered becoming a boxer.

"My dad wasn't too keen on me going into boxing and suggested I give taekwon-do a go.

"Although it is a foot and fist art, you wear protection. That's why the girl I beat in the final didn't feel too bad because she was wearing headgear."

The Portslade Community College pupil dedicated the victory to her father.

She said: "It's all thanks to him that I got involved. I'm glad I did because I enjoy it.

"I've got the European crown today so, it's tomorrow the world!"

First she hopes to add the British title to her new collection of trophies on December 1.

Dutton took runners-up spot in the traditional patterns event at Kettering.

Phil said: "We are really proud of her. I thought taekwon-do would be better than boxing for her because it is more an all round sporting activity. I might have got her in to it, but she has really taken to it. She is a natural."

James Andrews, 12, from Eastbourne, emerged a European champion at boys lightweight after six years involvement in the martial art.

The Ratton pupil, based at TAGB's Eastbourne club, said: "I got there slowly. My family wanted me to go through the grades and develop without getting me too tired and it's great that I won. I like the idea of being European champion. I enjoy taekwon-do."

Clubmate Rachel Mugridge, 16 and a pupil at Park College, was third in the music patterns.

TWINS Malin and Johan Lundin, from St Bede's (Upper Dicker), won silver medals at the Impact Championships at Haywards Heath. Johan was second in the senior male blue belt patterns and Malin secured the same spot in two events, the female green belt patterns and green and blue belt sparring.

Schoolmate Tory Ferguson won a gold meal in the junior female yellow patterns and junior special technique, a jumping front snap kick.

The three pupils train at the school under the direction of fourth dan black belt Philip Lear.