Pictured above: Anne Shrimpton

The new year has kicked off fantastically for a trainee dispensing optician in Stafford who has just been awarded her first degree black belt in kick-boxing.

Anne Shrimpton, who works for Mincher Lockett Opticians in Stafford Street, is a huge fan of martial arts films, and particularly of Jackie Chan and Jet Li - so much so, that it led her to take up karate and kick-boxing herself.

The 35-year-old took up the disciplines four years ago, and has now been awarded her first degree black belt in kick-boxing, and is working towards a similar level in her karate, in which she currently holds a 3rd Kyu brown belt, 2nd red bar.

Anne spends three nights a week training at UKCK in Cannock,  and loves it so much she wishes she could do even more. But as she is also studying hard for a degree, she has to divide her time well.

"I would be out training every night of the week if I could, but I think my husband might have something to say about that, and I also need to put a lot of work into my studying," she said.

"I have been doing a distance learning degree for the last three years, as well as working full-time, and I hope to complete that in the summer, and qualify as a dispensing optician.

"I started with Mincher Locket as a receptionist, and really, have been studying pretty solidly for various qualifications since then, with the encouragement of Sarah and Jan, who run the business."

Sarah Edge, co-owner of the business and dispensing optician, said she was thrilled for Anne, and is confident she will do as well in her studies as she has in her martial arts.

"Anne is really committed to everything she does, and puts so much effort in.  She deserves all the success she has had with her kick-boxing, and we are sure she is going to do really well in her degree too.

"We are big supporters of training for all of our staff, including Jan and I, as our industry is constantly changing and we want to continue to offer the highest levels of knowledge and service possible."

Not one to sit back, Anne has already set her sights on her second degree black belt  in kick-boxing which will take her another two years to complete.

"It's a great way of keeping fit, and I come away from each training session really buzzing - I'd certainly recommend it," she added.