A political reporter has swapped her notepad and pen for boxing gloves as she quits journalism for Muay Thai boxing.

Kirsty Green, who has worked at the Derby Telegraph for six years, will jet off to Thailand on New Year’s Day to begin her new life.

She covered her final council meeting on 19 December, where councillors praised her dedication and hard work over the years.

Now she plans to stay out there for at least six months while she tries her luck in the ring.

Derby Telegraph political editor Kirsty Green, who has decided to quit to pursue a career in Muay Thai boxing

Said Kirsty: “I have been doing Muay Thai boxing for about four years now – I’ve had a few fights and won some, so I wanted to improve that and get to travel as well,” she said.

“I thought I may as well take the chance now, while I only have a few ties, rather than regret it later.  Six months is the plan to begin with, if it goes well then maybe longer.”

She said she doesn’t plan to rely entirely on income from fighting and hopes to continue writing while she is in Thailand, with the aim of picking up some freelance work.

Kirsty, aged 31, joined the Telegraph as a general news reporter in 2006 and was made local government correspondent within a year. She was given the title of political editor in June this year.

During her time at the paper, she has covered five local elections, four changes of political control, six budgets and countless other events.

Leader of Derby City Council Paul Bayliss said: “Kirsty is a fair journalist who works hard to fully understand an issue before reporting on it. We wish her well.”

Conservative party leader Philip Hickson added: “She holds the council to account while reporting fairly, which is all we can ask.”

She was also handed a commemorative Royal Crown Derby ram by the Mayor of Derby, Councillor Lisa Higginbottom, in recognition of her work.

Kirsty added: “I will miss the Derby Telegraph very much, and I will miss the people. I didn’t know Derby at all when I first arrived, but some of the best friend I have made I met there.

“I haven’t really had time to be nervous so far, but I think once I set off for Heathrow it will sink in that I won’t be going back and it will probably hit me then.”