WARRINGTON'S Mark Hughes was second in a national martial arts competition held in Gloucester at the weekend.

Hughes finished a place behind his clubmate Andrew Lister, of Southport, in the Chinese forms (fist) element of the World United Martial Arts Federation UK National Open Championships.

Hughes' achievement is outstanding considering he has only been training with Dragon Wushu Gym, on the Bank Quay Trading Estate, for 12 months.

All six members of the club that took part returned with placings and trophies.

The other successful members were Stefan Vickers, third in Chinese forms; Martin Tucker, first in weapon routines; Philip O'Neill, second in novice fighting; and Andrew Lister with Richard Devine, who were first in the two-person combat routines.