TWO talented Halesowen disabled martial artists have been nominated for the national Warriors Assemble Fighting Spirit Awards.

Lee Myring and Paul Couldrey both attend Halesowen Wing Chun School, Stourbridge Road, and are an inspiration to their fellow students.

Sifu Alan Bagley, who runs the school, said: "In recognition of their achievements and despite their disabilities Lee and Paul have been nominated for the prestigious Warriors Assemble Fighting Spirit Award to reflect their continued commitment to the practice of martial arts.

The awards are the UK's first celebration of disabled martial arts being hosted my Celebrity Big Brother star and mixed martial artist Alex Reid at Lilleshall on Monday, October 24.

Lee, aged 36 who has chronic leg problems, said: “I honoured to be considered for the award and that it reflected the support that I have received from my Halesowen martial arts family."

Paul, who has Muscular Dystrophy and is 44, was surprised at the the nomination as he has never let his disability stop him training and strives to be the best he can be, never missing a class.

He said "It is always nice to be nominated to receive such awards but my main focus for training is my personal development in Wing Chun and helping others that wish to learn this great martial art.

"The fact I have such good friends within this Kung Fu family means I never miss a session and look forward to training days."

Classes run at the school every Tuesday and Thursday evening between 7pm and 9pm.

Sifu Bagley added: "It is great that both Lee and Paul have been nominated and whatever happens now they are both winners in all of our eyes.

"But nothing would give us all greater pleasure than to see Lee and Paul actually take the award and we look forward to hearing their Hollywood style acceptance speech."

He added: "Both are really inspirational and we now have a new member who is in a wheelchair who is also doing brilliantly, we want to make martial arts as inclusive as possible at our club."