KARATE: Kirkby Lonsdale Karate Club is celebrating a successful first year of training.

All members have graded recently and awards earned were: 9th kyu (red tab) - Jessica Cook, Sam Young, Hugo Heagreen; 8th kyu (yellow belt) - Aidan Rowlands, Jacob Young, Miguel Boleta, Charlie Brown, Jake Nicholson, Robbie Nicholson, Rebecca Brown, Sean Lewis and Adrian Conway; 7th kyu (orange belt) - Simon Boyles, John Young and Jamie Robson; 4th kyu (green belt) - Rachel Loyd; 5th kyu (blue belt) - Robin Littlewood, Ben Littlewood, Izaak Tyson-Hirst.

Members enjoyed training with Japanese chief instructor K. Sakagami, a 7th Dan Black Belt, who makes regular visits to the area. Junior members of the club will this year attend England Karate Squad Training, with a chance of being selected to represent England at the World and European Wado-Kai Karate Championships.

The club's senior instructor is Dave Jones, a Japanese Karate Federation 3rd dan black belt with over 20 years experience in martial arts. He teaches wado-ryu (peace/ harmony) style karate, sport karate and self-defence. The club trains on Fridays at Kirkby Lonsdale Institute and is currently accepting beginners. Karate is suitable for the whole family. Anyone interested in joining can call 015242 73316 or look for details on www.wado-kai.org.uk