KARATE kid Arron Goodinson first took up martial arts to combat bullies in the playground.

Now, three years later, the nine-year-old Farnworth youngster has kicked his way to a prized black-belt grading - at the age of nine.

The pupil raced through the gradings until he got as far as he could in his age group.

He is now a First Dan black belt, but cannot progress to Second Dan grading for two years.

To earn his black belt, Arron, of Barton Road, New Bury, had to demonstrate complex combinations of moves and learn the names - in Japanese - of each one performed .

Arron, a pupil at Highfield Primary School, took up the sport at Highfield Community Centre at the age of six and has shown the grit and determination of a champion ever since.

His dad Mark takes him to train twice a week at the centre and Arron also practises his kick and punch combinations at home for three hours each week.

He enjoys the sport so much that he has only missed two lessons in the past three years, and hopes to become a karate instructor by the age of 16.

Arron's mum Pamela said: "He absolutely loves it.

"He shows willing in all the lessons and never has to be pushed. We're so proud of him and what he has achieved, and of course now he doesn't get bullied."

Arron's instructor, Arthur Pennington, said: "It's helped his confidence tremendously and he's a great example to other kids who come here because he shows them what they can achieve."