JAMIE Gridley has been selected to represent England in the World Karate Championships in Tenerife in October.

Gridley, 17 from Cross Hills, has been part of the England Team for three years.

He was 12th in the World Championships in Indonesia as a 15-year-old, and placing ninth at the European Championships in Cyprus in February last year.

The former South Craven student, now in his second year of studying sports fitness and coaching at Craven College, had to travel to Barnsley to fight against other competitors from all over the country his age who had been invited to attend selections.

Gridley won all his fights in his weight category under 61kg 16 to 17 years, and showed the panel of coaches he is ready to take on the world.

He trains at Vision Fitness & Martial Arts Centre in Cross Hhills with former world champion coach Paul Newby.

Gridley, an English title winner and a British silver medalist, says he has the best coach there is and couldn’t do this without him and his parents support.