Mr Shinobara (left) demonstrates a blow to members with England International Joe Balko, an instructor at the club.

Brunokwai Judo and Karate club had a Japanese visitor at the weekend in Mr Shinobara, a chief instructor of the United Kingdom Karate Federation. He was in Burnley to demonstrate some of the finer points of the sport to the growing membership of the club. However, his main job was to assess the ability of members, and 26 got grades ranging from beginners to green belt.