IMRAN Ali Shah is following in his father's footsteps after making the grade in martial arts.

The 16-year-old has recently received his first Dan black belt thanks largely to his dad and instructor, third Dan Sensei Asghar Ali Shah.

Imran is a student of the Masters of Martials Arts Go-Shin Kempo Ju Jitsu and picked up his black belt from Grand Master Martin Dixon.

The Pleckgate High School pupil helps his father run one of the Masters of Martial Arts clubs at Audley School of Sport and Art.

And it is a real family affair as young brother, Ali Abbas Shah, aged 10, who attends the Audley school, has a half' black belt blue tab while his mother Elizabeth Purveen Shah also helps run the club.

The club, named Little Dragons, meets at Audley School of Sport and Art twice a week on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.

"Both Imran and Ali have been taking part in martial arts from a very young age because of their father's involvement," said Elizabeth. "Imran has worked very hard to get his black belt and Ali is also working towards his black belt."

Elizabeth, who worked as a school teacher at Woodnook Primary School until recently, added: "We are all involved with the club. While Asgar trains the students, I use my teaching skills to talk to the children about issues such as stranger danger, healthy eating. drug awareness and anti bullying.

"It really is a family affair."