SUPERFIT Astley mum Sue Johnson returned from a Chinese exercise to beat Britain's best.

Sue teaches the ancient art of Tai Chi, a form of exercise which combines martial arts movements with relaxed breathing techniques.

Since 1990 she has been a student of Manchester's Master Liming Yue.

And in her first competition, the Sixth British Open Chinese martial arts tournament, she topped the Tai Chai Chuan section.

Last month Sue, of Duke Street, was in China taking part in the first international advanced training course for Chew Tai Chi.

The course was run by Grandmaster Chen Zeung Lei whose ancestor, ninth generation master Chen Wan Ting, created Tai Chi Chuan.

She said: "Tai Chi is a 300-year-old Chinese exercise system which, practised slowly and gently, builds up the body's internal energy which helps prevent illness."

Sue, who teaches Tai Chi at the Spirit Health and Fitness Club at Haydock, took part in the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon celebrations in Manchester's Chinatown.

And she now holds Friday evening classes at Goodbody's in King Street, Leigh. Details on 01942-703909.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.