Five Sussex karate youngsters have received a double international boost.

They have been chosen for September's European Wado-Ryu Junior Championships in Italy and the world event in the Dominican Republic next year.

Chris Kent's Kick Martial Arts Centres, based in Sussex, sent Jaimi Keyte (Hailsham), Nathan Holden (Hove) and Martin Lovett (Peacehaven), with brother and sister Gary and Lisa Mardell (Portslade) for selection to Slough.

All five, recommended by Tatsuo Suzuki, 73, the first student of the martial art, impressed, and Newman School pupil Lovett, 16, said: "We're all very excited and are certainly up for it.

"We've been preparing for four months and now the hard work has paid off."

It completes Lovett's comeback from a series of injuries.

He aqdded: "I've dreamed of getting international honours for a couple of years now but had a few setbacks through injury, so the news is fantastic for me. I can't wait.

Martin's father and coach Barry is proud of his son and the rest of the Kicks quintet.

He said: "To get 100 per cent of our youngsters chosen for both events is a tremendous boost, not only for them and for us, but for the whole county.

"We're very pleased for them indeed.

"We're in negotiation for sponsorship to pay for the Italian trip because we haven't been members of the Wado-Ryu Association for a year, but the Association will pay for the youngsters' trip to the Dominican Republic.

Lovett senior with fellow kick coach Terry Robins have been invited to referee at the championships.