A martial arts scheme is helping boost the confidence of Bradford children whose parents abuse drugs and alcohol.

Supa Kids supports youngsters through counselling, mentoring and leisure activities.

The project, whose name stands for Substance Using Parents, began earlier this year with cash from the Children's Fund to help youngsters aged between five and 13 from across the city.

Supa Kids co-ordinator Simon Jackson said they decided to start a martial arts course because the youngsters involved with the project often had low self-esteem. "We wanted to do something therapeutic and something to improve their confidence," he said.

He teamed up with Kickers Black Belt Academy in Westgate, where the ten-week course is based.

The programme is educational and 20 children are so far taking part.

"The aim of the course was to provide a lot of fun, which it is, but it is also possible for them to gain some level of achievement," Mr Jackson said.

Course instructor Tony Devine, pictured putting a youngster through his paces, said they taught only self-defence moves, using games to make it fun. "Everybody gets what they need from it," he said.

"Some are aggressive and need to calm down a bit. For those with low self-esteem, if they do a good move we praise them and build them up. I teach in 40 schools and these kids appreciate it so much because they have never done it before."

Referrals can be made to Supa Kids through a variety of sources or parents can get in touch themselves.

When a child comes to their service, a programme is tailored to meet their needs, possibly including counselling, and visits - or just afternoons playing football.

Mr Jackson said they were working with 30 youngsters, with the majority of parents abusing heroin or alcohol.

"The feedback from parents has been tremendous about how children have developed," he said. "Just because a parent is using substances does not mean they are a poor parent, it just means they are using substances and it is causing them some issues."

To contact Supa Kids, call (01274) 651652.