A TEENAGE martial arts champion with Olympic ambitions has joined the Army.

Tae kwondo fighter Yasmin Smith, 16, from Spennymoor, has completed the first term of her military training but she is already aiming for international success.

A former UK junior winner, she is ranked number two at her age and weight and has already competed across Europe.

After sitting GCSEs at Spennymoor School, she enlisted as a radio operator in the Royal Corps of Signals, spending seven weeks at Army college in Arborfield, near Reading.

She said: "My sport is really important to me, and while I hope to be able to compete for the Army and combined forces teams, my ultimate goal is to one day represent Britain in the Olympics.

"I know that by pursuing a career in the Army I will be given the support I need to put in the training."

Warrant Officer Tony Masters, senior recruiter at the Army Careers Information Office in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, said: "Yasmin is a very talented individual and while in the Army she can expect to be given the support that she needs to excel even further."

For Army careers advice call the recruitment office on (01388) 604110. There are also offices in Durham and Darlington.