Dorchester schoolgirl Roxanne Symes is in South Korea taking on the world's best at taekwondo.

The talented 15-year-old Thomas Hardye School student, who lives in Cambridge Road, is part of the England squad competing in the International Taekwondo Federation's World Champion-ships in Seoul.

Competitors from 90 countries have converged on Seoul for the eight-day event and Roxanne, a Second Degree Black Belt, will be hoping to add another medal to her growing collection in the middleweight division.

She already holds the English and Welsh national titles, having retained her English championship at Dunstable a few weeks ago.

But being chosen for the squad to represent England in Korea came as a surprise to Roxanne, who took up the sport when she was just seven after being inspired by martial arts cartoon characters like the Ninja Turtles.

"Roxanne trains every day and travels up to the martial arts centre at Dunstable every weekend for training - but she wasn't really trying to win selection," said her mum Sarah.

"She just went for extra training because she loves doing it and it was a big shock when she was asked to go to Korea.

"It would be great if she came back with another medal, although I don't think we've got much room in the loft for many more."

Roxanne was one of South Dorset taekwondo coach Nick Bale's first pupils when he started his club in Dorchester eight years ago and she now helps him teach newcomers to the Discover Martials Arts Club which has groups in both Dorchester and Weymouth.

Mr Bale travelled to Korea with Roxanne and the England squad and fellow club members have helped raise the £800 she needed to meet the cost of her flight and accommodation through sponsorship.

"We are very grateful to everyone who helped because it meant we only had to pay for her equipment and some spending money," said Mrs Symes.