A 15-YEAR-OLD girl has won gold at a karate tournament.

Nelson's Anica Kelly claimed the medal at the Liverpool Open Karate Championship in her second ever tournament last month.

Her proud father, Stephen, said he was more nervous on the day of the fight than his daughter, who studies at Colne's Saint John Fisher and Thomas More RC High School.

Two years ago Anica started training with Sensei Khurshid Ismail at Pendle Karate Academy, which has classes in Earby and Nelson on Fridays and Sundays.

Mr Ismail said: "I think it's amazing what she has achieved in such a short time. She has a bright future ahead of her in karate."

She now trains once a month with the national squad, under head coach Paul Graham, and won bronze in her first tournament last year.