They're cute, they're tiny - but they already pack a dangerous punch.

Meet the Lil Dragons, the youngest and newest trainees at the Bradford-based Kickers Academy.

The city centre martial arts club has set up a new weekly class for four to six-year-olds.

Under the guidance of their 'Sensi' or teacher Tony Devine the children are learning safety moves called break falls (the art of falling safely without bumping your head) and basic punches and kicks.

They practice them enthusiastically by thwacking a cushion, which Tony, their trainer, has to hold close to the floor so the little ones can reach it.

The fun sessions also include team games.

"We are not trying to develop hard cases here," he said. "We are trying to develop good life skills."

The children earn coloured stripes for the belts on their white suits for each session completed. Each colour signifies a different skill: discipline, balance, team work, co-ordination and fitness.

The pupils are exceptionally keen and well-behaved, jumping to attention and sitting ramrod straight and cross legged "like a black belt" while they listen to instructions.

"What's the two must important things in martial arts?" they are asked by their teacher, and they chirp in chorus: "Focus and concentration."

At the end of the class the young pupils, nine boys and one girl, are all applauded when they collect their coloured stickers.

Parent James Sammon, whose five-year-old son Callum is a keen member of the class, said: "He loves it and in fact wants to be a martial arts teacher like Tony."

The only girl in the group is Haarisha Hussain, a dainty five-year-old pupil at Lidget Green Primary.

Her father Tasawar Hussain said: "I am hoping she will go on to do judo, but there's no point in pushing her. She really likes these classes."

Mr Devine, 28, of Brighouse, teaches adults at Kickers, as well as GCSE pupils at Thornton Grammar School.

The Great Britain judo international has a string of achievements to his name and has even taught the British Prison Officers' judo team.

But nothing, he says, is more demanding than his Saturday mornings teaching the Lil Dragons.

"It's very tiring," he admitted.

Pictured is Aaron Dunbar.