HIGH-kicking Jason Bellanfante is set to take the Taekwondo world by storm - at the tender age of six.

The pint-sized martial arts enthusiast may have only been learning the discipline for two years, but he is already just three grades from his black belt.

And now he is jetting off to Germany to take part an international junior competition.

Jason is following in the footsteps of his dad Mark, 43, who is the chief instructor of True Spirit Taekwondo club.

And dad thinks Jason, a pupil at Rastrick Preparatory School, has the ability to go all the way.

"One day Jason could compete for his country," said the proud dad.

"He has the talent and the right attitude towards Taekwondo.

"He is still very young of course and we are aware of that but he is very good at both the competition side of the martial art and the technical as well."

Jason will compete with other youngsters at the competition which runs from February 2 to 6.

Mark, whose wife Shirley, 41, also does Taekwondo, believes the club he runs could soon be sending more young hopefuls to battle it out in the annual competition.

"We are growing and in the future we would love to send more and more people to Germany each year," said Mark, of Dalton.

"We have about 100 students and interest is growing all the time.

"Taekwondo is a great discipline for anybody not just young people to take up.

"We have a lot of kids who come because they have been having some troubles. Learning this martial art gives them self confidence.

"You can see them coming along as they do more and more with us.

"And of course it is a great way to keep fit as well. Too many children just sit in front of the TV or computer and do very little physical activity."

The club has also recently awarded its first black belt. Eddie Dixon, 14, of Salendine Nook, was successful after joining the club four years ago.