KICK boxer Jason Curtis has recently been crowned double English title holder - and now he wants a tilt at a British belt.

The 32-year-old, who lives in Clayton-le-Moors and competes in full-contact kick boxing, was crowned ISKA English Middleweight Champion in May.

And now he has added the WAKO pro English Super Middleweight crown to his impressive tally after a bout earlier this month.

He won the fight in the third round of a scheduled five-round fight against Dale Morris in Dale's home town of Nottingham.

And Jason had to come up to scratch in front of 1,000 people in the 21-bout fight card.

"My bout was the main event and didn't start until 11pm - it was quite hard as you have to make sure you stayed alert," said the full-time swimming instructor at Hyndburn Sports Centre who also runs the JAG Martial Arts Ninjitsu Club at the centre.

"The fight had always promised to be a good one because I fought Dale around 18 months ago in Hull. I won it by a unanimous points decision then and the fight was awarded Fight of the Night as it was so entertaining - and that was despite a world title fight being held in the same evening!"

Jason, who has had seven wins out of his nine fights, with five knock-outs, had 10 weeks notice for the latest bout and he made sure he was on form.

He said: "I trained well and got myself ready and was determined to take my chance although I was up against it with it being in his home town. He has the crowd on his side while, because it was so far away, I could only take around 30 supporters."

But father-of-five Jason, with a sixth on the way, came up with the goods - although it was a tough battle.

"The referee gave Dale three standing eight counts before the knock-out blow while I took a standing count of eight in the second round. I didn't have many cuts and bruises as it was over quite quickly but unfortunately Dale was knocked out cold but he soon came round. It is just the way the sport is. The aim is to try to finish your opponent off and these fights are very professionally run and the paramedics were there to make sure he recovered. It's just part of the sport.

"For years, I've done moral defence so I can protect my family and myself if anything happens and full-contact is taking it a step further. When you're in the ring, there is the pressure of the crowd and the occasion and your opponents aim to hurt you, so you have got to give the same back.

"It is very similar to boxing, with gloves and no headgear, and everything is above the waist. In fact, the only thing that is different is that we can obviously kick."

Like boxing, kick-boxing has a number of different organisations and titles but Jason holds two of the most prestigious ones in his sport - and now wants a shot at a British crown.

He said: "I have won two of the three most prestigious national titles in full contact kick-boxing this year and I hope to do the same with the British titles in the coming year."

Jason did have a go at the third of these English titles - the WKA - at the end of June this year and took the fight up at short notice but lost on points following a clash of heads.

"That was disappointing as, up until that point, I had only lost one fight, and that was after coming back from a double knee operation. Then we clashed heads in the fight and I was hazy for a while and they gave it him on points. I have asked for a re-match but he lives in Portsmouth and with the cost and travel, I am not sure if it will come off."

But more importantly it is the British crown he wants - and that could happen next May.

He said: "I had hoped to fight for the British title this year and a bout was organised in Liverpool but it was cancelled which was disappointing. There are rumours that an event could be held in Burnley next year which would be fantastic for me.

"Last time I fought in Burnley, in my first fight about three and a half years ago, I took 100 supporters and I would be hoping for more for a British title fight. There are also rumours of a bout in Liverpool in May so I should definitely go ahead next year.

"Then I want a go at the Commonwealth or Europeans.

"It would be superb to fight in France or Holland although the kick boxers there are full-time professionals - it would be good just to have a go though and see what I can do."