A KARATE group that has produced several world-class fighters is desperate for new equipment to help the club improve.

Uechi-Ryu Karate Club boasts five members in the England team and one European medal winner.

But its sparkling success has all been achieved while training on the hard wooden floors of St Mary’s Hall, in High Road, Benfleet.

This has meant the fighters are forced to avoid practising the wrestling, tripping and throwing skills vital to succeeding at the highest level, for fear of doing serious injury to one another.

Chief instructor Dean Lowe is desperate for the state of affairs to be rectified, and is appealing for local businesses and fund raising groups to help the club pay £1,700 for new mats.

He said: “We’ve got some top young talent at this club and that has shown in our results.

“Their commitment is simply first class, we travel up and down the country, and some of the members train up to five times a week.

“It’s just such a shame we are unable to do any floor work with them, you can’t have people being thrown down on hard floors. I’m sure if we got these mats our results would be even better.”

The club’s roll of honour is lengthy, and it won national team age-group championships for both boys and girls last year.

One of its brightest young stars is Alfie Ambrose, from Thundersley, who took home the bronze medal at the European Championships in Serbia earlier this year.

Three of the club’s members also hope to compete in karate’s world championships in Malaysia later this year, and the club is appealing for support to help them pay their travelling costs. The fundraising bid is also being supported by Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris and ward councillors.

Maryse Isles, Conservative councillor for Cedar Hall ward, said: “They are a really successful club and I think the whole borough should be proud of them.

“It would be nice for a local business to step up and help them secure the equipment they need.” Contact Mr Lowe on 07590 993055