A LOCAL karate organisation will be celebrating its fifth anniversary in Malvern at the end of January.

The Ultimate Sport Karate Organisation was started by chief instructor Neil Bennett in January 1997, at Malvern Link C of E Primary School. Since its launch the attendance at Malvern has risen dramatically to an average weekly number of 60 students.

Neil and his clubs have achieved recognition from British Standards Institute and City & Guilds for excellence in the sport of karate combined with affiliation to the governing body, the National Association of Karate & Martial Arts Schools (NAKMAS).

Neil is a 3rd Dan Karate Black Belt and his dedicated team who support him each week are Malcolm McClure, 2nd Dan Black Belt together with Dave Avery and Honor McClure, who are 1st Dan Black Belts.

Other clubs have been established in Colwall, Hanley Castle, Powick and Tewkesbury, all of which are expanding successfully. Two new clubs, in Storridge and Hanley Swan, are being launched this month.

Neil said: "Our Karate is based on traditional Wado-Ryu Karate with certain techniques from Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, Kick Boxing and other popular styles whilst specialising in self defence and making our system the ultimate choice.

"Ultimate Karate was created by the chief instructor and teaches the student to have a wider knowledge to the more effective aspects of different martial arts in order to develop these skills in one karate organisation.

"We invite new students, who are always welcome at any of our clubs, and they receive their first training session free of charge. Get fit in the new year and stay healthy, learn new skills and gain confidence in our friendly karate clubs near you and learn a karate system that British Standards recognise with regular tuition from our team of Black Belts, all the family are welcome."

For Ultimate Karate training times and further information about the karate classes contact Neil Bennett on (016840 5677221 or 07801 846 055.