A talented trio of local karate students won medals at the AMA Southern Area Karate Championships in Clacton-on-Sea last weekend.

Nine-year-old Tyler-Blue Kirby-Arif won a bronze medal in the Under-11s category, eight-year-old Bobby Gardener won a silver medal after narrowly losing in the final of the Under-9’s category, and Charli Payne took double gold, triumphing in the Under-15s and open weight division.

Coach Sensei Steve Payne, who teaches the students, said: “I’m proud of the medallists but I take my hat off to all those who took part as it take courage to step into the arena.”