SALUTE Bury's "fearless foursome" who have fought their way to national and regional karate titles.

The thriving United Styles Karate Academy can boast a quartet of talented karate kids who have taken the honours in the martial art, much to the delight of chief instructor Mr Peter Allen, who runs the sessions in Hardman Street.

Aimee Sheppard won bronze at the AMA (Amateur Martial Association) National Championships in Leigh and lifted a third place trophy at the AMA North West Championships, staged at Bury's Castle Leisure Centre.

Curtis Kelly is the AMA national champion and North West champion while Owain Williams won bronze at the North West Championships. Jake Hough took silver at the AMA national event and bronze at the North West Championships. All four live and train in Bury, and are aged 11.

Mr Allen said: "They are the latest batch of kids to join our elite band of athletes at the club. All four have been selected to train with AMA England karate junior team and, hopefully, will be selected over the coming months to compete in the world championships in Dublin next year."

The youngsters' performances at the North West Championships in Bury saw United Styles Karate Academy take the overall champions title.

Mr Allen said: "I have been running the academy since 1983 and we've been at Hardman Street for the past eight years, with 60 adult and child members."

Commenting on the success, he added: "It's been fantastic. I think what really helps is that we have a good venue here, a self-contained martial arts centre which produces elite performances. Children can develop themselves from a young age and that development carries through."