TWO world champions kicked up a storm in Cowdenbeath when they visited the town's karate club last month and taught members a lesson.

Current global title holder Jordan Thomas, and current England karate team coach and 2004 world champion Paul Newby, visited the Broad Street based club on November 26 to carry out a series of karate courses for members at all grades, including elite athletes with Olympic ambitions.

The courses, which lasted four hours, were conducted by Paul with Jordan demonstrating as required, treating the students to a breathtaking display of the highest level of martial arts assembled in Fife.

Students from England, as well as members of both the Scottish and English national karate squads, also travelled to Cowdenbeath to support the events, which were also attended by local MP Roger Mullin.

Paul's visit, which is one of many to take place in recent years, came as a result of the club establishing close links with the England coach and his English based clubs, and he was influential in securing in-demand Jordan's appearance.

Club instructor Gordon Maxwell commented: "Paul was fully instrumental in bringing Jordan to Cowdenbeath given he was in popular demand following his recent world title win, but Paul ensured he made his first visit to Fife. Paul also brought a host of top international fighters with him and all remarked at the fantastic welcome and hospitality they received from everyone during their visit. Students from as far away as England, along with members of both the Scottish and English national karate squads, also travelled to Cowdenbeath to support the events and this is testimony to the high esteem Paul, Jordan and Cowdenbeath Karate Club enjoys across the martial arts world.

"All students really enjoyed the visit and it was a great experience and opportunity to train beside world-class athletes. We would like to thank our local MP Roger Mullin for taking the time, given his busy schedule, to visit the club, meet Paul, Jordan and all the students and parents, and present a small gift to both fighters. Roger himself has to battle in the face adversity over many years to finally realise his dream to help and support the local community, and fight for their concerns and beliefs.

"The town of Cowdenbeath has had a few knocks since the demise of the coal industry and suffered some decline, but the karate club has tried to keep some of that old passion, community spirit and indeed local warmness burning both at home and abroad."

Cowdenbeath Karate Club is a small, community based organisation run by volunteers, and was founded by miners in the late 1970s to provide high-level karate training to all members of the community.

Over the years the club has produced many great fighters and provided training opportunities to the people of the town, and have fought and won medals in England, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Turkey, Germany and Austria, raising its own funds with support from local businesses.

It has had five British champions, with four currently training with the club, and also has Fife's only full Scottish national team member in its ranks. It performs demonstrations for old folks groups and has raised money for a large number of charities over the years.

The club operates out of its own premises at Cowdenbeath Martial Arts Centre, and anyone interested is welcome to attend. For more information, find them on Facebook, visit www.cowdenbeathkarateclub.com or call 01383 611486.