Daniel Carr is the smallest silver medalist in European taekwon-do.

The eight-year-old was runner-up in the 125cm event at the European Open Championships in Cheltenham.

Carr also qualified for the World Championships in Germany next year through his performance.

The Denton Primary pupil, a member of Southern Freestyle (Hangleton and Southwick), walked tall in the category for the shortest competitors.

His father, Phil, who practised taekwon-do, said: "Daniel doesn't realise his achievement. He does taekwon-do because he enjoys it and he loves competition. But he has taken the trophy into his school for a special presentation after assembly.

"It was a great sight seeing all these kids competing and quite colourful with all the different countries involved including Italy, Germany, Scotland and Wales.

"All the finalists in each event from Daniel's, up to and including the seniors, qualified for Germany and we're all looking forward to that."

Phil has no fears over safety for a discipline regarded as similar to kick boxing.

He said: "It is a defensive form of kick boxing and it gives him life skills through its tenants of courtesy, integrity, perserverence, self-control and indomitable spirit. There is a theory that he has to learn and he seems to enjoy that and understand the references to respect and integrity.

"People do get the wrong impression about safety issues. Instructors are more concerned with how to duck. The first thing they tell you to do in a street situation is to run away and scream. It is more a cerebral than physical martial art.

"I'm originally from Manchester and did it as something to do while it rained on a Sunday afternoon, but Daniel's doing well. He might not stay with taekwon-do. Daniel's a keen swimmer and, although I'm a Manchester City fan, he follows Liverpool and Michael Owen is a big role model for him."