TEENAGE arm-wrestling champion Dawn Higson has grappled her way into the record books as the youngest British female to win a European medal.

The 15-year-old, from Blackrod, walked away with the junior silver medal at the continental championships as the youngest contender in the event.

More than 800 contestants from 25 countries flocked to Poland for the contest last week. Dawn also took sixth place in the fiercely competitive senior category.

This meant that, as well as competing in ten junior matches, Dawn took part in the women's category, facing opponents more than twice her age.

Dawn's strong-arm performance saw her hotly tipped as the future world champion by World Arm Wrestling Federation head Willie Deneumostier.

The Rivington and Blackrod High School pupil was the only British female, and one of only two members of Team Great Britain to enter the contest.

This was a small turnout in a competition in which Russia fielded 100 contestants, and the Ukraine team numbered 70.

Dawn had to be accompanied on the opening ceremony procession by her dad, Andrew, who carried the British flag, as she did not want to walk alone.

Dawn took up the sport two years ago, said: "The matches were difficult because I had to wrestle bigger people than I am used to.

"The Russians and Ukraine entrants are a lot bigger than most and those matches were hard. I did not expect to do so well and thought I would come about fifth."

Andrew, said: "We are really proud of her. Some of the women she was up against were so big they made Dawn look like a stickleback, but she wasn't intimidated -- she just took it in her stride."

Dawn spends 16 hours a week training at local gyms and at Leigh's Pulling Power arm wrestling club, where she took up the sport. She also trains at home in her spare time.

She will spend the summer holidays in training for more competitions this year.

Dawn said: "At least it keeps me off the streets and it lets me travel much more than most people my age."

Dawn's huge travel and expenses bills are paid by her main sponsor, Dovecote Park, a slaughterhouse in Yorkshire.

She has also recently received funding from Horwich Rotary Club. Dawn used £200 to buy a professional arm-wrestling table.

Training consists of weight exercises to keep her arm and hand muscles in shape.

She bench presses heavy weights to maintain her upper arm strength, and uses smaller hand-held weights to keep her forearm muscles toned.

Dawn also uses a "plate loader" device, which is a series of weights designed specifically for the muscles in the hands.

She can lift weights far heavier than an average male at the same age.

She does not have a diet regime, but eats sensibly, taking in high-protein foods such as steak to help build muscle mass.

SHOW OF STRENGTH: Dawn Higson in action in the European arm wrestling championships in Poland

FLYING THE FLAG: Fifteen-year-old Dawn Higson, who won silver at the European arm wrestling championships