A TINY martial arts club in north Wiltshire is celebrating after its coach was named as the best in the country.

Super sensei Mike Allaway, who runs Lea Judo Club in Lea, near Malmesbury, has been named as the Junior Coach of the Year in the British Judo Council’s annual awards.

Upon picking up his trophy at a glittering ceremony at the Belfry Golf Club recently, Allaway said: “I am thrilled to win this. I have been nominated before but we are such a tiny club compared to some of the massive ones all over the country. I didn’t expect to win.

“I’ve been doing judo at Lea Village Hall since I was a teenager and I just love working with the children.

“My old sensei, Brian, still comes to our Friday night judo sessions. even though he’s 79. Judo’s always been a huge part of my life.”

Lea Judo Club currently has around 30 members who nominated Allaway for the prize and were delighted to see him named as the winner.

Claudine Barrett, whose children Oscar and Olivia, attend sessions every week said: “Mike is so dedicated. He drives hundreds and hundreds of miles with his work during the week but he always gets back for judo on a Friday. He’s so committed to the club and the children. He deserves this.”

Nine-year-old Harry Holder, who has been a member of the club for three years, said: “Mike makes it fun for us with lots of games. He’s kind, he’s generous and he’s always patient.”

Alexander Holder, aged 11, added: “Our club’s done really well at competitions. We’ve produced some world-class fighters, like my sister Ellen.”