IT was a testing time for Taekwon-do youngster Tate Budge but the Tavistock youngster came through with flying colours,

Tate, aged just nine, took his black belt grading at a closed grading - meaning that he and the other people grading were not allowed to have anyone to watch.

He was in there for just under two hours and after he had finished he had to wait until the following day to receive a phone call to tell him whether he had passed or not his first degree black belt. Tate had a nervous wait before he got the call on Monday morning to say that he had passed!

Tate has been doing Taekwon-do since he was four and has been working towards his black belt since he was six. He is currently a member of South Coast Martial Arts and trains in Plymouth twice a week.

Tate would like to say a special thank you to Gary Burdock and Chris Wood for all their support and time over the last six years .

Dave Budge said: 'This is a fantastic achievement for someone so young and we (his family ) are so very proud of him.'

For more information about South Coast Martial Arts call 07530 978 938 or go to http://www.south-coast-martial-arts.co.uk ">www.south-coast-martial-arts.co.uk ;