A 12-YEAR-OLD schoolboy from Chippenham continues his meteoric rise through the ranks of Tae Kwon Do, as he aims to become a third dan, which is the equivalent to third degree black belt.

When only eight, and attending St Paul's School, Alan Thursby achieved a black belt in the sport.

Since then, he has managed to become a second dan, and is now trying to go one even better and become a third dan, an extremely impressive achievement at such a young age.

Alan, of Greenway Lane, Chippenham, learns at Ivy Lane School with Success Martial Arts School.

His dad Pete said: "He is now requalifying for his third dan, one of the highest levels.

"I am really proud of him." Alan, a pupil at Hardenhuish School, trains three times a week, and is now being continuously assessed in the hope of achieving his third dan.

Mr Thursby said: "He is such a nice little lad. "He has always been quite quiet, so we signed him up for Tae Kwon Do partly for him to come out of himself.

"Tae Kwon Do is not so much to do with hitting bricks or people, or just to do with martial arts.

"It is a choice for them."

The youngsters learning the art do not just spend their time learning moves, but achieving overall fitness and helping other people.

Mr Thursby said: "Alan believes in helping other students.

"He is thinking about taking it further and he has even thought about becoming an instructor.

"He does the weaponry side of it too, as well as sparring, and it teaches them about things like knife attacks and bullies."

Alan's little sister Abigail, six, is also learning Tae Kwan Do.

Mr Thursby said: "She is trying to do as well as her brother, but she is something of a different entity.

"He is a bit more reserved."

In May, Alan will find out his results. His dad said: "The assessment started last Monday. "He gets assessed every week at each class."