THE LIFE of a Bury martial arts expert has been marked with the presentation of a new shield.

Mr Chris Hopkinson, who ran Bury Judokwai Club based at the Mosses Centre in Cecil Street, died last year aged 72 and members of the club have dedicated an award to him, to be given to members of the club for excellence in Judo.

This year the plaque was given to Bill Perry for all the hard work with the younger members of the group for the past 30 years.

The role of sensei, or master, has been taken up by George Launders who said: "We couldn't think of anyone who deserved it more. And just two months ago, Bill had a hip replacement, and has also run nine marathons in his lifetime. Hes a bit of a superman!"