DUNFERMLINE'S Emma Forrest won her first judo title on English soil by winning the under-16 Girls' under-44 kilo class at the Great North Open in Gateshead.

The Destination Judo member has been a regular medallist on the UK circuit over the past 18 months and has dominated her category in Scotland this year.

The 13-year-old Dunfermline High School pupil won all three of her fights by ippon on her way to the title in Gateshead, beating local fighters Becky Butler and Kazia Simpson by a hold and a throw respectively in little over a minute each.

Forrest also dominated long-time rival Aimee Thorpe of Sportif JC in the decisive bout, executing a classic harai goshi throw for ippon with a minute left on the clock to claim victory.

There was further success for Dalgety Bay's Kirsty Marsh (pictured with Forrest) as the British champion successfully defended her own under-48 kilo Great North Open title in style.

She saw off a tough challenge from Emily Cooper of Warrington's SKK Judo Club in her first fight, eventually following up a wazari throw with a hold for ippon, and with her second opponent having to withdraw through injury, the Inverkeithing HS student qualified to face Caitlin Barber of Middlesbrough JC in the semi-final.

Marsh had never fought the 2012 British Schools' champion before, but again followed up an early wazari throw with a pin-down to secure the win.

In the final, the Fifer controlled the fight against Newcastle's Libby Arkless, throwing the local girl for ippon a minute into the contest, driving her opponent on to her back with a dynamic kouchi gari technique to take the title.

The tournament was a useful warm-up for this weekend's Flanders Judo Cup, as both fighters are in the JudoScotland squad for the prestigious Belgian tournament, alongside Queen Anne High School's Fiona Todman, who also competed in the event in Gateshead.