CELEBRATIONS have been held to mark the tenth anniversary of a martial art using swords being taught in the North-East.

Students can learn Kubudo Shodai Ryu Zanshi, which involves the use of fully-sharpened Japanese swords, in Durham City.

On Saturday, a demonstration was held at Teikyo University in Durham.

Kobudo Shodai Ryu Zanshi was first taught in the UK in November 2004 when Colin Young returned from a period of living in Japan after training with the headmaster of the style, sword smith Genrokuro Matsunaga, of Arao city.

Mr Young said: “The Durham dojo was the first place Shodai Ryu was ever taught outside of the island of Kyushu in Japan.

“When I started the club, I certainly didn’t expect it to last for ten years or for us to demonstrate the art to so many people and at so many events.

“Over the last ten years, we’ve had members join us from many different countries, most of whom had never participated in a martial art previously.

“To reach our tenth year and to have achieved so much is incredibly rewarding and a testament to the dedication of all of our members.”

Members of Durham’s Tomari Budokai have also demonstrated Kobudo Shodai Ryu Zanshi at various events in Japan during club visits between 2007-2010.