STEVEN Burton has become part of Martial Arts history.

The owner of the Dragon Society School of Chinese Martial Arts in Accrington has been made a Guardian of Lau Gar Kung Fu.

This style of Kung Fu has been taught for hundreds of years and a select few from each generation are chosen to become inheritors of the style, to teach it accurately so that it does not die out.

In 2000, 16 Guardians were chosen by Master Jeremy Yau and this year a further four were chosen to complete the Guardians - and Steve was one.

"I am deeply honoured," said Steven, who recently won a gold and silver medal in China for his Kung Fu. "It is a big responsibility as I have to keep the style undiluted and pass it to the next generation of Guardians before I pass away, although I hope that will be a long time off!

"To be given the highest title that can be awarded is truly amazing and I could never have dreamt that this would happen."

While Steven celebrated such a high honour, two of his pupils have also enjoyed success.

Michael Townsend passed his first degree Black sash in Lau Gar Kung Fu after being tested by Master Jeremy Yau in Birmingham.

The test included having to perform all the techniques that he had learned over the past seven years

"The test was hard and the wait for the results was even harder as you do not find out if you have passed for two weeks," said Michael.

Michael, who travels from Stalybridge, has now begun to teach Kung Fu and Tai Chi for the Dragon Society.

And Martin Sweeney demonstrated his Full Contact Kung Fu abilities by winning a three-round fight at Aintree Racecourse, in an event sanctioned by the International Kickboxing Federation.

Martin primarily trains in Kung Fu and San Shou (San Da) Chinese Kickboxing but he is also trained to fight against any style whether Thai Boxing, kickboxing or grappler as well as Kung Fu.

"In the first round I knocked the opponent down and he was counted for eight but he managed to last the round," said Martin.

"In the second round, I felt that I had the upper hand once again and, in the third round, I knocked down my opponentagain.

"It was my first fight and was an experience. Many of my friends and family from the Dragon Society School came to support me."

Martin is going to China in August to train for one year to advance his skills by training with Shaolin Monk Shi Gen Jun. But, before he leaves, he will fight a second time at Aintree in May.

Anyone wishing to train at the school in Kung Fu, Tai Chi or kickboxing can contact Steven on 01254 386191 or call in to the school at Unit 6 The Ironworks, Dale Street Accrington.