A Sandbach mum is celebrating after her seven-year-old daughter got her black belt in karate – making her one of the youngest in the UK.

The rising karate star, Bella-Ashleigh Smethurst, who lives in Elworth, has been doing karate since she was three years' old.

And Bella-Ashleigh, a pupil at Elworth Hall Primary School, has been selected for the England squad and will be representing her country next month (July).

Bella-Ashleigh Smethurst (Photo: Sandbach Nub News)

Bella-Ashleigh is taught by her mum, Natasha Matthews, who has been doing karate as a child and runs a karate school in nearby Haslington.

Natasha from Taxmere Close said: "Bella has achieved amazing success over the years competing nationally in numerous competitions gaining multiple gold medals in Kata and also Kumite.

"She graded for her 1st Dan black belt on the 21st May and absolutely smashed it achieving the highest score on the day.

Bella-Ashleigh's school, Elworth Hall Primary School, are proud of her achievement.

"The grading was for adults and children with numerous fully grown men and women.

"Bella being the youngest had something to prove because of her age and she smashed it and beat everyone's scores."

Bella-Ashleigh will be competing in the WUKF Karate World Championships next month in Scotland and hopes to bring home gold for her country and club.

Natasha runs the Zenshinryu club at Yoxhall Village Hall and trains with Bella, something she encourages other families to do. "It's something families and do together," said Natasha.

Karate is in the family's genes as Bella's dad, Dan Smethurst, is also a karate expert.

"Bella just loves doing karate. I never thought I'd get her to this level. She's just a natural," said Natasha.

Alongside Bella-Ashleigh, another student Thea Heys from Haslington achieved her 1st Dan Black belt on the same grading. 

More details about the Zenshinryu Club are available here