A dedicated judo player has reached the National Schools Finals later this year.

Melbourn Village College Year 10 student Jacob Hanson reached the national stage after winning a bronze medal at the Eastern Area Championships at Thetford over the weekend.

Competing against much older boys (the competition was for Years 10-13), 14-year-old Hanson, a member of Melbourn Judo Club, will now compete in Sheffield on Saturday, April 2.

Hanson, one of only six U16s at the club who currently hold a green belt, has been a judo player for almost six years and according to organisers Lesley and Iain Reid, has the best attendance record at the club.

He rarely misses a Saturday or Tuesday evening session, where he trains with the seniors.

For more information on Melbourn Judo Club, visit www.melbournjudoclub.co.uk