A TRIO of martial arts youngsters from a Stroud club are just one step away from black belt accolades.

Eight-year-old Rhiannon Smith has just achieved her deputy black-belt grading along with Danielle Berry (nine) and Sam Hawkins (10).

This means that if they keep working hard with the Leigh Childs Black-Belt Academy based at Stratford Park Leisure Centre, the youngsters, who all hail from Stroud, are set to achieve the top martial arts accolade in November.

"They have all put in an enormous amount of effort since joining this branch of the school right from when it first opened in Stroud in May 2002," said chief instructor Richard Herbert.

"All three have trained hard since then and we are hoping they will triumph as our first black-belts in this town before Christmas."

In total, 23 youngsters aged four to 12 gained belts with the Academy this month. These included two new recruits - Alex Lin-Vines who is five and four-year-old Bradley Webb - who reached the first purple and white grade.

Adam Miller, who helps run the Stroud classes for the Leigh Childs group, which is affiliated to the International Back-Belt School, said it was not just about learning how to kick and punch.

"We teach a mix of several martial arts, including Tae Kwon Do and kick boxing, together with other aspects like social skills and building self-confidence and respect," he said.

"The programme we follow is the black-belt leadership course which covers life skills including addressing issues like stranger danger and bullying as well as conflict awareness and avoidance."

For further information please telephone Richard Herbert on: 07788 674454 or go to www.leigh childs.com or freephone the Academy on 0800 0191585.