Former British judo champion Karen Briggs MBE is back teaching the sport she loves to schoolchildren after beating breast cancer.

The 45-year-old mother-of-two is delighted to return to the mat after being given a "second chance".

And she revealed battling cancer has made her realise what is important in life.

Karen, of Paull, near Hedon, underwent a 10-hour operation to reconstruct her left breast in July following a mammectomy.

And after getting the all-clear from doctors at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, she has now resumed her teaching.

She visits schools across Hull and the East Riding with husband Peter Inman, 39, passing on her skills to youngsters.

Karen said: "I needed to get back to work. I am a working person. I love judo.

"My specialist is amazed at my progress and the range of movement I have."

"I have come back a completely different person - physically and mentally.

"One little boy I teach came up to me the other day and said, 'where's your white hair gone?'

"I used to have blonde hair but that went during the treatment. It's grown back dark."

Karen was diagnosed with cancer in October 2007 after discovering a lump, as previously reported in the Mail..

In 1982, aged just 18, Karen was crowned world judo champion, a title she went on to defend in the 1984, 1986 and 1989 Judo World Championships.

She set up the Karen Briggs MBE School of Judo with her husband in 1993 after retiring from the sport through injury.