HUSBAND and wife team Joe and Sandra Ellis, from Canterbury, have been rewarded for their services to karate at the Combat Hall of Fame National Awards held at Aston Villa Football Ground in Birmingham.

Joe, a fifth Dan Black Belt, won an award for devotion and commitment to karate. Sandra, a third Dan, won two awards, the first for her outstanding contribution to karate and another award for her commitment to gain martial arts practice greater national popularity within Great Britain.

The awards Sandra received will accompany an already impressive list of achievements. During 2001, she went to Canterbury Cathedral to be awarded a Master of Arts degree in Education from the Canterbury Christ Church University College after four years of study. She also had her NAKMAS British Standards Quality Kitemark renewed for a further 12 months. NAKMAS is the only martial arts body within Great Britain to achieve the award.

The successful couple are the chief instructors at the adult branch of the Kent Karate Schools, who hold their adult karate sessions at the Thanington Resource Centre, Canterbury, every Tuesday from 7.30pm to 9 pm.

Sessions are held every week throughout the year. Full details are available by phoning 01227 370055 (during office hours) or by visiting their website at www.karate-uk.net