The UK Southern Squad Karate team claimed eight medals at the Caduti Di Nassirya tournament in Sardinia.

Training across a number of bases in West Essex and East London, the squad returned from Italy with a haul of three gold medals, two silver medals and two bronzes.

Seven competitors travelled to Italy on April 13, with Asuka Peace, 16, claiming double gold and Rebecca Collins, 12, winning a third gold.

There were also silver medals for Max Wilkinson, 18, and 19-year-old Noufi Theodoulou - who also took bronze - whilst Danielle Varney, 15, and Bassam Talsi, 25, claimed gold as well.

On June 2 the UK Southern Squad Karate team will return to Italy when they travel to Lecce after being invited as guests of honour by the president of Italian karate.

There they will compete against competitors from 13 other countries.