A TEENAGE karate queen is to represent her country at a world championship.

Abigail Coates, 14, clinched a place at the global Unified World Championships event, to be held in Benidorm in November, after winning a bronze at a qualifying event in South Tyneside in April.

Sensei Brett Wilkinson, her coach and chief instructor at Skikkari Karate Kai, said: “I’m extremely proud of her. It’s a very proud moment for her, for me and for the club.

“She’s so enthusiastic. You can see her natural love for karate and she’s always wanting to improve herself.

“She’s very dedicated and she’s a very likeable young woman.”

Abigail, from Stanley, County Durham practises her martial arts skills at least four times a week.

Speaking about the qualifying event, Mr Wilkinson said: "Abigail was really outside her comfort zone. She did very well."

Work has now begun to raise the money needed to get Abigail and her family and Mr Wilkinson to Benidorm for the contest. A fundraising night will be held at South Moor Golf Club, near Stanley on Friday, July 31, at 7pm.

There will be prize raffles, karaoke, an auction and more. A small entry charge will apply.