ERIC HAYES is a man with a mission. A serious parachuting accident left him out of action for four long and painful years.

But Eric, who has just celebrated his half-century, was determined to get back into sport.

And, as chief instructor with Leigh's Yoshin-Ryu Judo club, he is a 2nd dan at ju-jitsu and 4th dan at judo.

Eric damaged both his legs in the parachute accident and needed plates and pins fitted to keep going on his active life.

Now, on the back of success for the youngsters in his group, he is a planning to launch a course for disabled people.

"Just because they are disabled does not mean they are unable to compete," he said. "I have proved that."

Anyone interested in the new course, or simply keeping fit, should call for more details on 01942-514696.

Meanwhile, Eric's success stories go on...

After just five years of training Mark Hayes is proud of his black belt 1st dan.

He had to fight five opponents, complete more than 50 throws, holds and chokes and complete a full judo kata, including the Kimi-No-Kata Sword Kata.

In an event at Howe Bridge Leisure Centre Martyn Hayes won silver, while bronze went to Neeley-Ann Lewis, Lee Johnson and Neil Watson.

Celebrating grading promotions were David Southern, Darren Ratcliffe, Adam Andrews, Martyn Hayes, Neeley-Ann Lewis, Liam Pendlebury, Martin Storey, Shaun Storey, Dean Storey, Lee Johnson, Michelle Kirby, Kenneth Webster, Matthew Upholland, Anthony Leatherbarrow, Ashley Wadeson, Andrew Gardner, Daniel Worthington, Alison Yates, Andrew Morris and Simon Johnson.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.