MARTIAL arts champion Wesley Fagan has been showing off his first British title belt.

The 21-year-old joiner, from Dipton, near Stanley, County Durham, won the British European Kickboxing Commission Super Middleweight belt.

He defeated Sunderland-born Michael Johnson in a full-contact bout over seven rounds.

Mr Fagan, the UK number one at his weight, said: "It was great to win my first national title and I am looking forward to defending it in November. If that goes well, hopefully I will get a shot at a European title next year."

The bout, at Stanley Central Working Men's Club, was a sell-out and was packed with Mr Fagan's friends and family. The one exception was his mother, Patricia.

"I don't let my mam come to see me fight," he said. "Full contact is rough and I don't think she would like to see her boy getting punched. But she still supports me from home."

His dad, Paul, said: "We are very proud of him, for the dedication he has shown over the last few years. All his friends and family turned out to support him at the fight and it was a really good night."

Wesley switched from Jujitsu to kickboxing five years ago, when he started going to the Martial Arts Centre in Annfield Plain. He joins other title winners at the gym including junior world champions Craig Rich-ardson, Gavin Graham and trainer Goff Bates's son, Jamie.