Moving in perfect unison with her instructor, Abbie MacKenzie punches the air and grunts with satisfaction.

She has just received her first Tae Kwon Do belt and she is only three-years-old.

This makes her Swindon's youngest martial artist.

The toddler, who comes from Haydon Wick, has been training at the Leigh Childs Black Belt Academy, and she has now succeeded in reaching the status of a purple belt.

She picked up her belt at the Leigh Childs Black Belt Extravaganza at the Oasis Leisure Centre last night to huge applause.

Her instructor is John Danby, a former police officer, who is now a black belt himself at the academy.

According to him most children do not gain their purple belt until they are at least six-years-old.

He said: "This is definitely the youngest person we've had at the academy and for her to get a belt is brilliant.

"There are certain standards which are set to reach the belt and Abbie has managed to succeed in all of the necessary skills needed.

"She is a natural and she perfectly imitates any move that you do yourself.

"She is a very active three-year-old who clearly loves Tae Kwon Do."

Her interest started through watching her sister practice at the academy.

She used to stand at the back of the class and copy whatever actions they were doing.

Mr Danby said: "You wouldn't believe how proud we are of her.

"She might be small, but she is definitely determined.

"We have a group for young children starting at the academy called the Mighty Morphins, but because she is still too young for that group, she had to learn by herself, which makes it even more of an achievement."

The Leigh Childs Black Belt Academy has seen its membership double this year to more than 700 students.

The main academy can be found on High Street in Old Town, but several satellite academies have opened in the last year, including one in Wootton Bassett.

To join call 07000 216101.