THREE youngsters won medals in tae kwondo only three months after taking up the sport.

Ashleigh Booth, 12, James Wood and Callum Smith, both nine, fought off a challenge from about 100 martial arts students from the North-East to return to their homes in Bishop Auckland with gold and silver medals.

The three took the team silver medal in the competition at the Kim Chung Do gym, in Darlington.

Ashleigh gained gold in the individual event and Callum took an individual silver medal.

All three train at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, on Mondays between 6pm and 7pm.

Instructor Katey Wallace, who is a black belt third dan, said of her new recruits: "I am over the moon. They have only been training for three months and to go into a competition and win shows their talent.''

Suzy Beaverstock, ten, from Darlington, also won a silver medal in the competition.

For more information about tae kwondo or self-defence can contact Katey on 0775 1451005.