THREE new black belts at Phoenix Karate Club are stepping up to national competition.

Flynn Tucker, Charlie Betts and Liam Dunmore have recently achieved their black belts with Sensei McLuskey, who is a sixth Dan.

Charlie, who is 12 and lives in Stanford-le-Hope, followed up his successful grading by coming second in a national competition held in London.

It was his first competition as a black belt and he only missed out on winning by 0.2 points.

Charlie and Liam, who is 12 and lives on Canvey Island, will be heading to the Scottish Nationals in September with another Phoenix member. The trio are training for the team kata.

Liam will also be attending the World Championships in Dublin in June, with a handful of other members from the club.

Eleven-year-old Flynn, who lives in Leigh-on-Sea, and his two fellow black belts train at the Basildon Sporting Village on Wednesday and Friday evenings.

Cheri Stokes 5th Dan Chief Instructor at Phoenix said: "All three boys put in tremendous effort and dedication to achieve what they have already having been so young.

"Within Phoenix we ensure that there is a minimum effort level that must be attained to ensure we maintain the standard.

"We don’t allow lots grading all at the same time to ensure everyone is as ready as they can possibly be."