ALMOST 100 children received gradings at a presentation at a Halesowen martial arts club, with special awards also handed out.

Top honours went to six-year-old Callum Parks for best attendance after turning out to 83 classes at the Martial Art Concepts (MAC) academy in three months.

The youngster also earned his purple and white belt at the graduation held at the Hereward Rise centre.

Toby Pinnell, aged 10, who gained his brown belt’s third tag, was also presented with a gold attendance award and a level 2 in the Special Team of Role Models (STORM) programme.

A gold attendance award and level 1 STORM also went to Liam Cochrane, aged nine, who earned his purple belt.

The Halesowen academy's chief instructor Alex Williams said they focussed on discipline and courtesy.

Many of the children have come through sessions he and other coaches run in schools and Mr Williams said the martial arts teachings often made children who lacked confidence feel more positive about themselves.

Halesowen North councillor Stuart Henley praised Mr Williams for the work of MAC in the town’s schools over the last 10 years.

“It’s just brilliant what they are doing,” he said.

The MAC academies, which alos have centres in Dudley Port and Stourbridge, are owned by chief instructor Paul Kelly.