A KARATE star of the future was born at the British and European Championships – six-year-old Amelia Dyer.

Amelia, from Pitsea, competed in her first medal competition at the WKC British and European Championships in Manchester on Sunday and came away with a bronze medal, despite only having taken part in six trainings sessions. The team contributed an astonishing 25 medals in total.

Her club, the British Martial Arts Karate group, first suggested Amelia attempt her discipline of Kata-Pinan-Nidan in the under-seven category, and she showed her prowess in the field with her third placed finish.

Jamie and Stephanie, Amelia’s parents, said: “We are so proud she just got up there and did it.

“We were not sure she would be ready but she proved us wrong.

“Now the work has started and the future looks set to be bright.”

Steve Perry, her coach, added: “For anyone to get on a mat is a major thing, but at six years old it is huge and she made us all proud.”

The Perry siblings – Fox, 14, River, 13 and Star, eight – who are well known for their karate prowess, along with Chloe Crawford, contributed 13 gold medals, nine silver medals and three bronze medals as part of Team Bendai, claiming 12 European titles in the process.

The club, which runs classes in Basildon, Wickford, Brentwood, Grays and Pitsea amongst other venues, is now targeting the World Championships in Portugal in November.

Lisa Ann Gore, who trains Team Bendai, said: “Our talking is done on the mat and to get this in a year on one circuit is a massive achievement. I am so proud to be able to call myself their instructor.”