WEST Devon members of the Crunch Fitness and Martial Arts Centre in Launceston, have been enjoying competition success in the 12 months the centre has been open.

The centre has had several gradings for its Little Pumas, Taekwon-do and kickboxing students, with many students gaining a credit or distinction pass which is fantastic.

The club has also done extremely well in its last two championships; Southerns and the British Championships, where Sandra Aldridge won gold in both events at sparring, Mark Quick gold and silver in destruction events, Rita Tucker gold in British and silver in the Southerns sparring, Nicola Pipe silver in both sparring events, Sadie May silver in both sparring events, Dan Dimitrov gold in sparring at the British, Rory Burford silver in sparring at the British, Mark Francis gold in sparring at the British.

Instructor Merwyn Davis won gold in sparring at the Southerns and bronze in patterns after a six year break from competing.

Crunch also celebrated the recent success of Callum Smith (Tavistock) and Josh Stacey (Launceston) achieving their Black Belts at a recent grading in Swindon. Josh is not pictured due to injury.

Both students have trained a minimum of three and a half years to go for their black belts, Ellsie Hutt gained her Black Belt at the last grading and is Okehampton's first Black belt.

Merwyn said: 'All of them are fantastic role models to the other students and give so much back to their relevant clubs and colleagues, and they really are an inspiration to others.'

Merwyn is also doing her bit for the charity Cancer Research UK by running in six Race For Life events in Devon and Cornwall.

She said: 'I normally run just one event but this year I felt I needed a challenge and I have experienced cancer through my mum having breast cancer when I was 16. She unfortunately had another scare last year so I felt I needed to do my bit for her and anyone else affected.'

For information on Crunch Gym or martial arts lessons please call 01566 778509.