TWO judo players who left East Lancashire in pursuit of glory enjoyed medal-winning success at the weekend.

Faith Pitman from Todmorden and Andy Burns from Blackburn both won bronze medals in a packed SECC Hall.

Pitman, 29 and 28-year-old Burns both came through the repechage after losing their quarter final matches.

Pitman, who is a member of West Essex Judo club, beat Katharina Haeker of Australia to win bronze in the -63kg category.

Her gold medals hopes were dashed when she lost to Canadian Beatrice Valois Fortier.

However, victory over Marcon Bezzina in the repechage gave her the chance of a bronze medal “I’m absolutely ecstatic and really pleased,” said the former Todmorden Judo Club member.

Glasgow-born Burns, who is a former member of Beach and Shadsworth Judo Club in Blackburn, won bronze for Scotland in the men’s under -90kg class.

He too lost in the main draw but recovered to beat Australia’s Mark Anthony for the bronze medal.