MARTIAL ARTS: Nine Kidderminster taekwondo students were given a rise at a national grading event held at Kidderminster's Forest Glades Leisure Centre.

Eight were promoted to black belt and one to the third-degree dan grade.

The three-hour grading involved key martial arts aspects, like traditional kata and patterns work, power testing and board breaking and self-defence drills as well as rounds of continuous sparring.

Juniors Abbie Lloyd and Bryony Lloyd gave impressive displays along with instructor Tim Spilsbury and Sarah Robinson.

They were promoted to first-dan black belt with Michael Darvill, Sheila Darvill, Richard Hingley and Symon Amatt, while Steve Waghorn was lifted to third dan.

Club instructors John Swift and Russell Perks admitted a black-belt status in any martial art shows excellent determination, dedication and attitude.

Their clubs are well established and boast more than 200 students across Kidderminster, Bewdley and Hagley.

The Glades is the venue on Wednesdays from 6.30pm until 8.30pm, Saturdays from 3pm until 4pm and Sundays from 5pm until 8pm.

More details are available from Swift on 01562 827437 or Perks on 01562 636005.