Multi-talented Amy Harper is already well on her way to becoming the female version of Bruce Lee.

Amy, a nine year-old pupil at St Anne's School, Keighley, has become the youngest-ever junior black belt in ju-jitsu.

Her mum, Clare, 35, of Greengate Farm, Keighley, said: "If people ask her what she wants to be, she says a stunt woman and be the female version of Bruce Lee.

"I think it's fantastic idea. I don't think anyone can set their sights too high. You must have aims and ambitions, even if you are so young."

And Amy is not without get-up-and-go because she is also a member of the Bradford-based school of performing arts, Stage 84, which she attends with her 13 year-old brother, Karl, who is also a black belt at ju-jutsu.

Only recently she took two first prizes in memorised prose and verse speaking at Horsforth Festival.

And at Christmas time she appeared on the professional stage at the Alhambra, Bradford in the pantomime, Dick Whittington with the Chuckle Brothers.

Amy attends the Keighley ju-jutsu club, which meets three times a week at Keighley Leisure Centre.

She became interested in the martial arts as a five year-old.Amy, who is only 4ft 2ins tall and weighs just four stone, passed her black-belt test shortly after her ninth birthday

Brian Graham, who founded the Jitsu Foundation 30 years ago in Keighley and is Amy's instructor, said: "She is very, very dedicated and comes to every session, three times a week. She has been an inspiration to other club members."

David Walker, UK director of the Jitsu Foundation, said: "It is a phenomenal achievement. It is very unusual for anyone to reach black belt in just over four years. Normally it takes five years for anyone, never mind someone as young as Amy."

* The Keighley Town Jitsu Club will be giving a demonstration at Marley on Sunday from 1.30pm.

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