Saturday was a momentous occasion for local Korean martial arts schools based in Beccles and Loddon, as 15 students were promoted to black belt by the grandmaster of the art at the European Tournament held in King's Lynn.

Philip Hinchliffe, instructor at both clubs, was also promoted to sixth degree black belt master level after 28 years training. This makes him one of the highest ranked kuk sool instructors outside Korea with only 11 holding a higher rank.

'I am very proud of what all the students have achieved; it takes at least four years of dedication and commitment to earn a black belt,' said Hinchliffe.

'We work hard teaching and developing skills such as leadership, respect for others, goal setting, fairness, and helping people to become well rounded members of the community.'

Hinchliffe is employed at Sewell Park College in Norwich as the behaviour to achieve manager.