MARTIAL arts students from Halton Tae kwon do club saw black last weekend when they aced a grading session in Scotland.

The group received their 1st Dan black belts after five hours of gruelling tests and challenges, observed by some of the most respected experts in the UK.

Those successful on the day and gained the special status were Ian Turner, aged 14; Carla Hodgson, aged 13; Lana Madigan, also aged 13; Karl Hodgson, aged 11, and Rebecca Taylor, aged 10.

Daniel Meighen-Watts, who was not only the youngest applicant on the day, also became the youngest student ever to make the grade - at the age of nine.

Each was subjected to written examinations, tests on counter attack hand techniques and various stances, and made to perform patterns to deal with any imaginary opponent, before the destruction test - which was the challenge of smashing through a one-inch board.

Halton instructor Colin Madigan, who is 4th Dan Black Belt, said: "In all of my 17 years that I have been involved in Taekwondo from a student to British Team Member to Instructor, I've never witnessed a more memorable day.

"To see my students perform as well as they did was spectacular, each and every one have done themselves proud and the whole of the Halton area.

"An extra bonus for myself was not only to see Lana Madigan pass as her instructor but also a her proud farther."