NORTHWICH fighter Lyndsay Walkinshaw has grabbed gold to become a national martial arts champion.

The nine-year-old took top prize at the ITS Tae Kwon Do British Championships in Kidderminster, adding to a medal she won there last year.

And the Hartford youngster was not the only one celebrating.

Brothers Thomas, aged 13, and Robert, 11, were also spurred by her success.

Thomas, a pupil at the County High School Leftwich, scooped silver in the patterns category for black tag fighters for the second year in succession.

Robert finished fourth in the same section as Lyndsay and also reached the quarter final in the blue-black belt sparring contest.

But little sister Lyndsay shone the brightest, beating the best of the rest in the girls U15s blue-black belt sparring section.

And her achievement is all the more remarkable considering she only decided to take up the sport three-and-a-half years ago.

Dad Alasdair said: "Lyndsay took to Tae Kwon Do like a duck to water.

"I'm absolutely over the moon that she's won again."

Her brothers played their part too.

"All three of them love to compete and there is rivalry between them, but they use it to their advantage," said Alasdair.

"The only problem comes when they compete in the same category as there can only be one winner."

The three siblings, who live in Hillside, are students at the Blue Dragon Martial Arts Club.

They train at Wincham Community Centre where Alasdair is their instructor.

Members meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Under 12s train from 7pm, while adults and O12s train from 8pm.