A Kickboxing champion is to open her own academy on Ivy Lane industrial estate in Chippenham.

Annabelle Shoob, who last month won the World Ring Sports Association Pro Am Ladies 55.5kg British title, has been granted planning permission for the new venture.

Miss Shoob, who lives in Parkway, Chippenham, already teaches twice a week at West End Social Club and has dreamed of owning her own gym since the age of eight.

Now the 20-year-old, who went to Hardenhuish School and then trained in hair and beauty at Chippenham College, will be able to teach kickboxing in her own place full-time.

She said: “We are looking at moving in on November 10 and hopefully have it running by December. I’m so happy. It’s a big step but it’s what I’ve always wanted. I’ve been looking for a place for years now.”

Wiltshire Council said the empty industrial unit had been vacant for nearly 12 months and been marketed without success.

Miss Shoob, who began fighting at Chippenham’s Spartans gym, started kickboxing on her fifth birthday and some of her students are as young as four.

She plans to teach kickboxing, circuits and boxercise, with classes for children, adults and some women only. These can be held between 9am and 9pm on weekdays, 9am to 4pm on Saturdays and 10am to 4pm on Sundays and bank holidays.