IT WAS something of a family affair when Enfield's North London Shotokan Karate club competed in the recent International Karate Open competition at Dagenham.

Among the 400 competitors taking part from England, Malta and Georgia were the wife of the Enfield club's chief instructor John De Bono, Jane, and the couple 16-year old daughter, Natasha.

Jane competed in the Women's Kata (novice to 4th kyu category) and won a silver medal while, in the same 16-years-and-over age group, Natasha came away with a bronze medal after competing in the 3rd kyu to Dan grade category.

Christine McNeill and Peter Katsis both took part in the veterans' Kata category, with McNeill taking bronze and Katsis missing out on a medal by 0.3 of a mark.

Ellen Welsh, only competing in her second-ever competition, took part in the girls' Kumite novice to 6th kyu section, and performed superbly to win silver.

McNeill completed the club's success by taking her second bronze of the day in the women's Kumite.

The North London Shotokan Karate Club trains in Island Village, Enfield.

For information or to join the club, phone John De Bono on 07775 514954 or visit www.nlsk.co.uk