Gold medallist George Irish and, from left to right, black belts Mr Waugh, Michael Elsom, Beckie Pearson, Luke Bannister, Mr Sainsbury

Colyton’s Luke Bannister, 24, achieved a black belt at the recent Tae Kwon Do grading in Bristol.

Bannister trains at Colyton under instructor Daren Sainsbury.

Sidmouth instructor Gerry Waugh had two students, Rebecca Pearson, 13, and Michael Elsom, 10, achieve black belt level.

Waugh teaches in Axminster, Bridport and Charmouth as well as in Sidmouth twice a week.

Waugh said: “I am extremely proud of both of them. They have worked hard to get this far, especially in the months leading up to the grading, and they deserve this belt. This is a step up to a new level as they work to progress through the dan grades”.

More than 30 students train at Stowford Community Centre on Mondays and Thursdays and Michael and Beckie will learn their new black belt syllabus while helping other students work towards theirs.

A black belt was also achieved at Colyton, by Luke Bannister, 24, who trains under Mr Waugh’s own instructor, Daren Sainsbury.