KIDDERMINSTER'S Samurai Judo Club coach and referee Carol Leverton is celebrating after gaining her national A' referee award at the British Senior Championships.

Leverton, a second level black belt who lives in Bevere, Worcester, has been a national B' referee for several years, gaining very good reviews and assessments.

Her promotion comes after a officiating at a number of major events and being reviewed at each one.

The British Closed Cham-pionships in Sheffield was the final examination, and after passing the theory exam, Leverton was watched carefully on both days as one of six examinees. She finished with the highest marks of the six and becomes Worcestershire's second only national A' referee, following Keith Merrick, another member of the Samurai club, who is now at international level.

The Samurai club has easily the biggest and most highly qualifed squad of referees in the country. In addition to Carol and Keith, the club has seven other current qualified adult referees as well as around 20 qualified junior referees.

Kelly Edwards won her way into the last four of the youth section at the championships before having to withdraw with a hamstring injury. She therefore had to settle for a bronze medal.