A martial arts prodigy endured a four-hour knee operation after being knocked off his bike but is desperate to get back fighting fit.

Elliot Hodgson, 11, of Causeway Road, Seaton, was the youngest karate black belt in the history of Workington's Hokushinko Martial Arts Club and has a haul of gold, silver and bronze medals from competitions all over the country.

But his family feared he might never fight to that standard again after he was hit by a car while riding his bike home last month, breaking his knee in two places and needing urgent surgery at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Those fears were allayed by the surgeons who performed the delicate operation to a standard which should leave no lasting problems.

Elliot's dad Barry said: "We're hoping there's been no long-term effects.

"His surgeon seems to think he's got every opportunity to get back to where he was.

"They're hoping he might be able to get about a bit better by himself in a couple of months time and then it will be building up the strength in his knee."

Elliot, who described the pain as he crashed through the car's windscreen as "phenomenal", has shrugged off the injury and got on with using a zimmer frame and wheelchair to get around while he recovers.

He was due to start at Workington Academy this month but so far has been unable to attend, although his parents hope he will be able to start for half days next week.

And the competitive streak in the youngster has already got him dreaming of being back in the gym and on a football pitch for his club, Seaton Juniors.

He said: "I'm looking forward to getting going again. I was the fastest in my football team before the accident.

"My mum says it's like having a baby in the house again."

Friends and team-mates have visited and he has also received cards and support from Hokushinko and Cleator Moor Celtic FC.

Mum Susan said the accident was Elliot's second close call, having battled leukaemia for more than three years from 2007.

And she said it was heartwarming to see people stop to help Elliot before paramedics arrived.

She added: "It was difficult to go back to work this week but he's very independent and wanting to do things himself.

"We have to rein him in a bit and make sure he's not doing too much too soon."

The family paid tribute to staff at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and the RVI, as well as an off-duty nurse and firefighter who both helped.

The injury has also brought Elliot and younger brother Zinedine, 10, closer together, with the latter rushing around to do things for his sibling.