AN IMPRESSIVE 20 members of Farsley-based Leeds Karate Academy, including Bradford schoolgirl Emelye O'Brien and local schoolboy Joe Hird, have won national call-ups.

They have been selected for the Japan Karate Shotorenmei (JKS) England national elite squad for 2015.

Junior kumite choices were Georgia Freer, Hird, Sarah Howarth, David Lister, Laura Mackintosh, Isaac Mitchell, Seb Mitchell, Daniel Smith and Alice Whittington, while senior call-ups went to Stephen Brown, Joe Bulmer, Richard Fewkes, Mell Finlay, Joe Hart, Tom Little, Tom Mitchell, Tony Mitchell, O'Brien, Ashley Scott and Jordan Weatherley.

Joe Hird, Sarah Howarth and Jordan Weatherley are also part of the kata squad.

The group will now train with the JKS national squad throughout the year and be invited to several national and international championships, including the JKS World Championships in South Africa.

Anybody interested in starting karate can call Nick Heald on 07747-607283, e-mail him at n_heald@hotmail.com or see the club website at www.lka.org.uk.