THIS is one family you don’t want to mess with.

The three Holliday sisters are punching well above their weight after being awarded black belts at the same time, despite the oldest being only 12.

Witney’s Sinead, nine, Sionainne, 11, and Siobhan, 12, have trained for the past five years in mixed martial arts.

Sinead is the youngest to achieve the honour in the 27-year history of Witney Freestyle Martial Arts, based at Wood Green School.

They have been taught in self-defence techniques, including punching, kicking, karate, taekwondo, and gun and knife defence.

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The Madley Brook Primary School pupil said: “I enjoy martial arts because it’s fun and I feel I could defend myself if I needed to.”

Wood Green pupil Sionainne said: “It’s pretty awesome because none of my friends have black belts.”

Fellow Wood Green pupil Siobhan added: “It’s amazing all three of us have got a black belt and we get to show off at school.”

Mum Lisa, 43, is a fitness instructor and dad Chris, 63, spent 24 years in the Royal Engineers as a construction engineer, leaving in 1994 as a warrant officer.

Retired Mr Holliday, also a member of Witney Town Council and a Wood Green governor, said: “It teaches them about commitment and it’s not a bad thing to be able to defend yourself.”

Chief instructor Phil Hatton, a 6th Dan, said: “They are massively important skills for children. We specialise in life skills, and building confidence and self-esteem.”

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