A nurse will swap treatment for tae kwon do as she targets two gold medals in the upcoming World Martial Arts Games on home territory.

Annabel Carlton, 25, who works at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital's gastroenterology unit, is aiming to add to her silverware when the event kicks off in Norwich on August 27.

The 25-year-old black belt, who took up the sport as a 14-year-old, won three golds, two silvers and a bronze at last year's games in Canada.

And she said she transfers elements of tae kwon do to her work at the hospital – although she has not yet had to use her skills to restrain an unruly patient.

'Doing tae kwon do has taught me how to focus while adrenaline kicks in,' she said.

'Sometimes you get bursts of adrenaline during work but I can still stay focused on what I'm doing.

'It gives me an outlet for my stress.'

Annabel, from Hingham, who credits her balance and flexibility to practising ballet dancing from a young age – trains between four and six days per week.

She hopes to emulate her success from the games in Canada last year, but believes she faces tough competition from some German rivals.

The games, held at the University of East Anglia, will attract some of the world's top amateur martial art experts to Norwich.

Are you taking part in a major tournament or championships? Email nicholas.carding@archant.co.uk