A SINGLE mum of two boys has become a boxing champion - at the age of 36.

Lucy Payne, who lives at Carhampton in West Somerset and is semi-professional, won the Southern Area middleweight title by way of a technical knock-out in the first minute of the first round at Bridgwater.

Lucy, mum to Toby 13 and Ronny nine, is a coach at Tavern Fitness and Martial Arts, a boxing coach at Fitness Station in Minehead, and she also works at Dunster First School.

She said today: "I chose to do boxing through having the hardest times of my life tested and its the most positive step I have ever made. This is a huge thanks to my amazing boxing coaches who have helped me on my journey - Simon Gorman, Lewis Cartwright and Carl Burrows."

She is also indebted to the following sponsors: Kwik Stop Williton, Fitness Station Minehead, And Wonder Woman locksmith Minehead.

Lucy fights in aid of the Valley Kings Foundation under promoter Faisel Ghazghazi.

She won both her first fights - in February and July and has more bouts lined up with the aim being to fight for a British European belt.