A BARRY karate club ensured the Vale MP got the chop when he visited them recently.

Vale MP Alun Cairns visited a talented group of youngsters at the Rising Sun Kyokushin Karate Club and joined group leader Spencer Bennett where he saw the group in action and the skills and dedication required to achieve a black belt in the martial art.

Mr Cairns said: “I was thrilled to have been invited to visit the Rising Sun Kyokushin Karate Club and meet with Spencer and his group. I must pay credit to the work undertaken by instructors to train so many children in such a disciplined and skilful martial art. What impressed me most was the self-control shown by the youngsters and the dedication shown by the adults in the group. I fully support local clubs that develop the character of children as well as sporting skills often with very limited funding.”