A DISABLED woman who dedicated the last 12 years to collecting Pok�mon has been officially declared a Guinness World Record holder.

Severely bullied as a teenager, Lisa Courtney told the WHT she turned to her collection during dark times in her life.

Now 21, she has turned her passion for characters into a full-time hobby, even celebrating her milestone birthday in their birthplace – Japan.

Lisa, of Rollswood, WGC, began collecting aged nine when her mother Sharon gave her a computer magazine featuring the new animated characters.

Although not available in the UK, that did not stop Lisa getting some delivered direct from Japan. Lisa said: “I fell in love with them straight away and my collection started growing.

“I was severely bullied at senior school, both verbally and physically.

“The bullying was quite bad and I was tearful most days. I have a disabled arm and they called me Elephant Man.”

She added: “Coming home from school the Pok�mon really helped me through the hard times.”

Lisa, who belongs to an online Pok�mon community, recorded 12,113 different pieces for the award, including her favourite character Absol, although she has already increased the collection to more than 13,000.

After hearing she would appear in the Gamer’s Edition of the book, out tomorrow (Thursday), Lisa said: “I don’t think words can explain how happy I was.

“It just made everything worthwhile, I was so proud.”

A GWR spokesman said: “Lisa has been awarded the Guinness World Record for having the largest collection of Pok�mon memorabilia.”