Annabel Murcott has become the highest ranked female within Britain's largest Tae Kwon-Do Association

A martial arts instructor from Stamford has become the highest ranked female within Britain's largest Tae Kwon-Do Association.

Annabel Murcott, who runs schools in the town as well as Bourne and Market Deeping, has been promoted to world master eighth degree black belt.

She is the first female to receive this award within the Tae Kwon-Do Association of Great Britain and was thrilled to receive the outstanding award.

Annabel said: "It is a huge honour, not just for me but the club as a whole, because it's the students that keep you going.

"When they come to you with no confidence and you turn them around by making them believe in themselves, seeing their faces when they are promoted to the next level or see those that wish to compete win a medal, that is what coaches feed off.

"It's what keeps you going so I'm happy to take it for them. I would also like to thank my husband and family as, without their support behind me and putting up with a Tae Kwon-Do life, it wouldn't be easy."

Annabel's accolade was the icing on the cake following a recent run of club success.

Three of the school's students went before a panel of five Grand Masters in Daventry recently where they were rigorously put through their skills and fitness.

Kim Sentence has moved up to first degree black belt, 14-year-old Faye Swindell is now a second degree black belt as is Kully Thieri Mahmood.

Students from Murcott's schools also brought home a fantastic haul of medals after an amazing day at the Worcester Arena for the British Championships.

It was the final competition of the year where more than 1,200 competitors from all over Great Britain and guests from the Netherlands competed against one another in patterns, sparring and destruction.

Tom Kendrick kicked off the medals in the men's light heavyweight division.

Tom - who has been training for 26 years but hasn't competed for the last four - made a last minute decision to enter and he fought his way through to the top and took the gold.

He had some truly tough opponents to get through, but perseverance, indomitable spirit and sticking to his plan got him through.

Michaela Francis battled her way through the testing ladies middleweight division despite carrying rib injuries.

But Michaela was not letting anyone get past her and, despite facing some tough opponents who all wanted the same title, she took gold.

Oscar Bell and Jack Caruthers both won gold in team sparring with Bell taking a silver in the individual sparring.

Sky Harper was another silver medal winner as well as James Frost in the patterns and team patterns.

Annabel added: "I am always proud of every student that takes part in a competition, medal or not.

"It takes tremendous courage to face an opponent and that in itself is the medal."

This year has seen a huge rise in interest for new students and potential champions and anyone requiring further information can call Annabel on 07714 323995.