Eastbourne Kuk Sool Won club are celebrating after 12 of their members returned from the World Championships in Houston, Texas, with medals.

Kuk Sool Won is the traditional Korean martial art and involves pressure point techniques, kicking, punching and joint locking moves.

The self defence techinque was devised by grand master Suh, In Hyuk in 1958. Now one of the top exponents of the art is 13-year-old Robin Holmes.

Robin has been training with the Eastbourne club since he was five and he is already a black belt.

He returned from the Texas with one gold medal and two silvers, and he also won the British Championships for 13-16 year olds in the summer.

Robin said: "Kuk Sool Won keeps me fit and is good exercise. It is also good to know how to defend yourself.

"The martial art is great fun and we have several families at our club. Getting the gold medal made the trip to America pretty memorable."

Robin's dad Philip is the club's principal instructor and a fellow black belt.

"It is a very good discipline for kids to have and it gets them away from the TV and computer," said Philip.

"It involves physical training and learning skills but we try to make it fun.

"We are trying to reinforce the values they learn at home. Martial arts begins and ends with good manners so we are very strict on etiquette. It also gives the kids more chance of escaping from a physical attack than others."

The club raised the money to go out to America through various activities such as bag packing, quiz nights and promise auctions.

The Cozens family were among those that went on the trip. Adam, Sam and parents Louise and Philip all went to the Texas. Sam, 13, returned with three medals and he is hoping to get his black belt next year.

He said: " It is something to defend myself from an attacker. My friends at school don't mess with me now."

Diana Hewitt, 56, has been involved in the art for 10 years. Mrs Hewitt is another member of the Eastbourne club who went to the States, and is a PE teacher at the Lewes Grammer School where she teaches self defence.

She added: "It is good to see the children come along and gain in confidence.

"One aspect of the martial art, involves Ki hahp, which is basically yelling. This developes the lungs and gives you energy."

Other winners were the young quintet of Adam Cozens, Daria Spencer, Aimee Spencer, Rebecca Ellison and brother Simon. Parents Philip and Louise Cozens, Richard Spencer, Julie Holmes and Mrs Hewitt were also among the medals.