THE cream of junior karate enthusiasts in Burnley need a bit of help.

They have been invited to take part in European and World championships and are looking for sponsors to meet some of the costs.

The youngsters, ranging from seven to 13 years of age, received the invitation after impressing national judges last year when they won the British junior title for Kata, a specialised movement in karate.

They all belong to the multi-skilled Okinawan martial arts group and practice every week at Barden High School community centre and at the Thompson Centre.

A team of 12 will be competing in the competition over the coming months at the Concorde Sports Centre, Sheffield.

Helping them along the way will be former national Kata champion Norma Whitehead, who is spearheading the sponsorship appeal, and club member Helen Campbell.

Mrs Campbell, of Towneley Street, Burnley, is a karate brown belt and hopes one day to be accepted as a contender on Gladiators.

Said Mrs Whitehead: "The youngsters are all a great credit to Burnley and have been given the chance to compete against the rest of the world.

"It is a chance that they will probably never get again.

"We need sponsorship to meet travelling expenses and the entry costs."

Anyone who can help is asked to ring Mrs Whitehead on 0378 44 9703.

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