Karate slims Church

Charlotte Church has taken up karate in a bid to lose weight.

The Welsh singing sensation has started going to classes twice a week as part of her New Year's fitness regime.

Charlotte has taken up the gruelling martial art in a last ditch attempt to shift the excess pounds she piled on over the festive period.

According to Charlotte's mother Maria, the 18-year-old star has also quit smoking as part of a rigorous new health regime to get into shape by the time her new album is released in AprilShe said: "Charlotte only has a couple of resolutions - stop smoking and get fit. She has tried gyms but finds them boring. So now she has taken up karate and told me she really liked it - although she said it hurt like hell."

Maria also claims the karate lessons could come in useful when Charlotte goes out clubbing and is confronted by rowdy fans.

She added: "Charlotte often gets abuse from other girls when she goes out in Cardiff. Maybe if she can become a black belt they will stay away from her."