MARTIAL ARTS: Three students from Ipswich Higashi Shotokan Karate Club all passed their 1st Dan (Shodan) black belts at the Karate Union of Great Britain summer karate camp in Lancaster.

Ashleigh Howes, 15, Cara Hunt, 12 and Millie Daniels, passed with flying colours, overseen by KUGB Chairman and chief instructor Sensei Andy Sherry (8th dan) and senior instructor Sensei Frank Brennan (7th dan).

The girls began training with the KUGB in 2008 at Sproughton Primary School and soon showed promise by quickly moving up the belts supporting each other on the way. Cara along with her brother Reece has followed in the footsteps of her father, Steve Hunt (3rd dan) who is co-owner of the club, whereas Ashleigh started and was soon followed by her sister Mel and then her parents.

Ipswich Higashi SKC is affiliated to the KUGB which is a non-profit making association. If you fancy taking up Shotokan Karate for fitness, self protection or just for fun you are invited to come along and have a free session – Mondays 6.30-8pm at Suffolk One, Scrivener Drive or Tuesdays 6.30-8pm and Thursdays 7-8.30pm Ipswich Academy on Lindberg Road and 6pm on Fridays at Sproughton Primary School. You can contact us via phone - 07864004335, via our website www.ipswichhigashi.co.uk or