A TAEKWONDO champion who broke his back in a motorbike accident is celebrating after being awarded his black belt along with his son.

Dad Andrew Newton, 44, of Saughall, was told he would never fight again after damaging his spine but when his son Henry, 11, got involved in the Korean martial art Andrew started training at Richard Saunders Chester Taekwondo School, Northgate Arena.

He said: “I had a kink in my spine but it didn’t come to light until years later when I suddenly deteriorated. I had to have quite a serious operation on my spine and afterwards the specialist said there was no way I’d be able to do taekwondo again.

“Henry had seen my medals and wanted to try taekwondo so we took him along to a class. I was sitting on the sidelines watching him do it and thought I can do this again.

“We practice together sometimes at home when we get a chance, but it’s always better in the class because Henry won’t be told by his father what to do!”

The former British taekwondo champion, who runs his own building company, was one belt away from achieving black belt status during the 1980s when he won several titles including the English Championship, Central Championship, British Championship and Welsh Open Championship.

The father and son team could soon become a fighting family as Andrew and his wife Janet have two other children called Thomas, aged eight, and Freya, aged three.

“Freya is already showing an interest in taekwondo,” he added.

“She wants to go to taekwondo now, but we’re trying to put her off until she’s at least five.”

For more information on the Richard Saunders Chester Taekwondo School ring Richard on 0151 512 6521 or 07968 737998.