THORNBURY Judo Club's members were celebrating this week after receiving a brand new full fighting area, which has arrived courtesy of a lottery award of £4802.

The grant has allowed the group to re-mat the dojo at Thornbury Youth Club and, on Sunday, the club hosted an inter-club competition to celebrate and show off the new mats.

The inter-club competition hosted players from ten Bristol Clubs. It catered for 40 U8 judoka and 100 U16 judoka (judo fighters).

This was the first time that the club has been in a position to hold one of these events and now they will be able to make it an annual event in the area's judo calender.

Thornbury's club coach and founder Stan McCarthy said: "We are thrilled to get this award. For a group like ours this is a large sum of money and it will allow us to help many local people.

"We've worked very hard to develop this club and to write the application. Now we've got the money, it's time for the real work to start!"

For further information on the club, contact Thornbury Judo Club, Thornbury Youth Club, Rock Street, Thornbury, BS35 2BB, or call Stan on 07768256383 or Mark on 07814740126.

Club sessions are on Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm, with a charge of £2 per session