A black-belt karate leader has helped smash a world record and raise over £20,000 for charity.

Waltham Abbey karate instructor and UKIP councillor Rod Butler led 200 students in a martial arts "marathon", with participants completing a total of 11,700 choreographed movements over three hours at a Harlow leisure centre on Sunday (May 10).

The record attempt, organised by Shotokan Karate England, beat the previous holders by over 3,000 more movements and raised £22,000 for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation in memory of Liz Lafbury, a club member who died last year after suffering from the disease.

Mr Butler said he was proud of the many young people who took part, and added: “There was a lot of emotion involved, it was very exciting.

“We were really chuffed to raise so much money.”

Mrs Lafbury’s husband and fellow group leader Chris Lafbury said: “I was so overwhelmed by the number of people that turned up in support of the event.

“Their dedication and hard work was truly touching.”

Epping Forest Guardian:

Participants after their successful world record attempt