LOCAL judo clubs have again been popular and excellent hosts for the Ghana national judo team to help them prepare for major international tournaments in the coming months.

The Ghana team have visited the Greater Manchester area for several years to hone their skills with the great judo talent there is in the region.

The visits have been led by Seventh Dan Steve Pullen MBE and Rowena Birch, a former British and European player and Olympic competitor.

Among the venues they have used to train with local club members and English stars are the George H Carnall centre in Urmston and Cheadle Drill Hall.