A TALENTED teen Irvine martial arts ace is celebrating the biggest success of his career.

Black belt Lewis Christie (16) recently won a gold and bronze medal at the British Tae Kwon-Do Championships in Bellshill Sports Centre.

Gold was secured by the Greenwood Academy Fifth Year pupil in the 74 Kilos event and bronze in the Patterns competition.

Now he is ultimately setting his sights on competing in the Olympics.

The Lawthorn youngster is a member of Stewarton Taekwon-Do Club, which is part of Ayrshire TTA and has been practising the sport from the age of nine.

Lewis is following in the footsteps of dad Alan, also a black belt, who is an instructor at the Stewarton club and judges major competitions.

Delighted mum Barbara said: "I am really proud of Lewis. The gold medal is by far the biggest thing he has won and he was up against five other competitors from across the country. Lewis secured his black belt when he was only 15 which was quite an achievement for someone of his age. He really enjoys being involved in the sport.

"Tae Kwon-Do is now an Olympic sport and Lewis is hoping eventually to be selected for the Great Britain squad for the Olympic Games. He is hoping to work his way through the different dans of the black belt would also eventually like to be involved in coaching like his dad."