TETBURY'S rising martial arts star Oscar Purnell walked away with two bronze medals at the TAGB World Taekwondo Championship in Birmingham on Saturday.

Oscar, 12, has been studying at Temples TKD in Dursley for the past four years and was awarded a first degree black belt in April this year.

His whole family were justifiably proud of his achievement at the Barclaycard Arena.

Kevin Purnell, Oscar’s dad, said: “We are incredibly proud of Oscar, he trained meticulously for the championships and it is very pleasing to see his efforts rewarded.

“From a very young age Oscar was interested in martial arts and we cannot thank his instructor Ben Temple enough for the guidance and tuition which he has given Oscar.

“It is evident to us that without Ben's enthusiasm and unique teaching style Oscar would not have attained the necessary skills to win medals at the world championships.

“Oscar hopes to build on his success at this event and would love to compete at an Olympic Games in the future.”

Temples TKD is part of the Taekwondo Association of Great Britain.

The group meets at Rednock School in Dursley on Mondays (between 7 and 8pm) and Wednesdays (between 6.30 and 7.30pm).

This year they are celebrating a decade of teaching taekwondo.