MEMBERS old and new got to strutted their stuff as Droitwich Spa Judo Kan celebrated 40 years.

There was an excellent turnout at Westlands Community Hall with dozens demonstrating their skills.

Started in 1974, the club originally began as Droitwich Judo Club before adding Spa to their name in the 1990s.

They then added Kan, which is Japanese for club, in recent years as the sport became more popular because of Team GB’s success at the London 2012 Olympics.

Coach Thomas Ewins, who is also a third dan black belt, said: “It was a really successful day, we saw people old and new at the club.

“Judo has changed so much since I started over 30 years ago, back then kids practised one technique at a time but kids today will work on two or three over a week.

“Judo is more popular than ever thanks to the Olympics, when I started we had about 25 members but now we have over 40 with more people joining all the time.

Meanwhile, Liam Jones attended a special needs competition at Kidderminster’s Samurai Judo Club and bought back silver.

Anyone who wants more information can contact Drotwich Spa Judo Kan on 01905

796365.

The club accepts members from as young as five years old as well as adults.