ONE Ilkley family who sleep safely in their beds are the Gilberts. Dad Colin and elder son Christopher,15, were joined at the weekend as Karate Black Belts by Mum Jane and younger son, Jonathan, 13.

Colin and Christopher added to the stunning success by each attaining the grade of Second Dan Black Belt.

The achievement was made even more remarkable, having been awarded by one of the Country's highest-ranking Grading panels, consisting of Sensei Stan Knighton (former European Champion and now 8th Dan SKU Chief Instructor) and 7th Dans, Sensei Ken Gee and Sensei Dave Warburton.

Each grading took over six hours and included a testing examination of karate techniques, fighting skills and physical endurance.

Delighted Dad, Colin, himself an EKGB Instructor and SKU Referee, could not conceal his pride, saying: "This fantastic result is the culmination of seven years training together and comes only a week after Jonathan's success in represented the SKU England Team against a team from NMK of Spain."

The family's Instructor, Sensei Brian Thornton, of Horsforth Karate Centre, trains students of all levels but even he found it something special.

"This is a Family with Focus! Training any of my students, from novice to Second Degree Black Belt, of course gives me enormous pride but for one family to achieve two Second Dans and two First Dans in the same weekend demands their total dedication. We regularly see the family at local and national competitions, as well as abroad on the SKU Summer Training Camp, on our Ski-ing holiday and at other social activities. I am delighted for them."

SKU Chief Instructor, Sensei Stan Knighton, commented: "The SKU (Shukokai Karate Union) is probably the country's largest single-style karate association and our clubs frequently attract whole families as members. Even so, for an entire family to achieve Black Belt status is a remarkable achievement. I am sure that we have not seen the last of this Karate family!"