A barber is over the moon after becoming a world champion stick fighter just three years after taking up the sport.

Robert Braid, 33, recently returned from the Philippines clutching his trophy after beating four opponents from across the globe.

Bruce Lee fan Mr Braid learned to stick fight after taking up the film legend's martial art Jeet Kune Do.

His stick fighting career took off earlier this year when he won a bronze medal in the British Championship and was noticed by Team GB.

In July, 30 team members, men and women, flew to the Philippines to take part in the 10th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Championships, held in Ayala Center Cebil City, and returned two weeks later with 12 gold medals.

Mr Braid, who runs Braid's Barbers, in High Street, Banbury, said: "The reason I started doing it was to keep healthy physically and mentally and found I was really good at it.

"When I won I was in shock. I couldn’t sleep — the adrenaline was unbelievable."

Mr Braid, of Abington, Northampton, competed in four fights at cruiser weight — a round lasts a minute and a fight consists of three rounds with a 15 second rest break.

Opponents move around a ring striking and defending each other with a bamboo stick. "It's exactly the same as boxing,” said Mr Braid.

“You can be hit anywhere on the body and you put out a number of thrusts or lunges. But you don't get knocked out you get disarmed, which means you get your stick taken off you.

"We wear a protective helmet and clothing because if we didn't we would literally have our heads smashed in."

He added: "There are a lot of people out there now who want to fight me and beat me. They can beat me, but they can't take my world champion title until they beat me at the world championships.

"I do it because I love it, not for the fame."

In November Mr Braid is due to compete in the British championships and next summer in the European championships.

He will defend his world title in Mexico in two years' time.

Stick fighting is the national sport in the Philippines.