A FATHER and son bridged the generation gap by gaining the same martial arts award.

Mick and Liam Machan, of North Close, Spennymoor, achieved black belt status at a grading tournament in Ferryhill.

Liam, nine, was the first to take up the sport when he started attending classes with Russell Shaw, of Chung do Kwan Tae Kwondo, at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, three-and-a-half years ago.

But as Mr Machan, 48, was taking him to classes every week, he became interested and joined the adult group.

Both have progressed through the grading system and now train three times a week at the Chung do Kwan northern headquarters, at Ferryhill Leisure Centre.

Under the instruction of another father and son team - David and Matthew Oliver - the pair gained black belts on the same day.

Mr Machan said: "I'm really proud of Liam's achievements, it is great that he has stuck with the sport, three times a week for more than three years, and is still as keen as ever.

"He will now go on to local and national competitions and aims to join the British squad.

"We've been to three or four grading days together and to gain black belts on the same day was really special."