THREE members of the Neal family from Much Cowarne have achieved new belts for Kickboxing.

Pete Neal and 14-year-old daughter Christie have earned their black belts and young daughter Faye, nine, has passed her grading for a purple belt.

Business development manager Pete said he only got involved after taking daughter Christie down to the club after she had expressed an interest in the sport three and a half years ago. Faye started training some 18 months later.

The trio now train three nights a week at Ledbury, Tewkesbury and Bishops Frome.

Pete, 46, said: "Christie is the youngest person from the club to achieve a black belt and I was the oldest, but we both enjoy it."

The black belt first dan grading session takes six hours and Pete said it was the hardest thing that he had ever done.

Their instructor, Michelle Gardiner, chief instructor at the White Lotus Martial Arts Club, said: "Martial arts is a family activity and White Lotus always welcomes families to train with us.

"Pete, Christie and Faye should be congratulated on their achievements, in particular their black belts, and we look forward to the results of their further training."