FOUR local students have won their karate black belts after successfully completing a four hour grading session in Manchester.

Mark Ireland, Gary Moore, Louise Jones and Nicola Warren are all members of the Ippon Karate and Self Defence Club.

Coached by Andrew Jones, the club was established a decade ago in Aylburton but coaching now takes place at other Forest venues as well – Cinderford's Forest View School on Thursday evenings, and Coleford's St John's School on Sunday afternoons.

Andrew told the Review: "These students have done exceptionally well to achieve the dizzy heights of black belt status."