A FIGHTING FIT Blackpool family made history last month when each member became a British Martial Arts Champion on the same day.

And former world champion, Rob Campbell, 41, of Westmorland Avenue, Blackpool, believes this sporting achievement could qualify for inclusion in the The Guinness Book of Records.

Rob and his wife Shirley, 45, came out of competitive retirement to win gold in the Japanese Weapon division at the National Martial Arts championships held in Manchester in March.

Son Jonny, 11, who attends Poulton C of E Primary School, took the gold medals in the Weapons and Kung Fu sections plus the bronze in Sport Karate and Kickboxing. And Rosie, 13, also snatched gold for Kung Fu and bronze for Kickboxing.

Shirley and Rob are both instructors at the British Budokan Association's Blackpool Martial Arts Club.

The Campbell family, plus six other club members, will be part of the 100-strong British team which will take part in the World Championships in Tuscany in August.

The local representatives are: Dale Noble, of Cranbrook Avenue, Bispham; Gareth Stubbs, of Armadale Avenue, Bispham; Reece Lomas, of Boleyn Court, Marton; Sam Higgins, of Newhouse Road, Marton; Jordan Smith, of Devonshire Road, Thornton, and Harry Pilkington of The Rowans, Poulton.

"Our club's achievement level is comparable to football's Premier League," says Rob.