A HUDDERSFIELD martial arts club has joined forces with the police to help stop children roaming the streets.

Community beat officers in Salendine Nook noticed increasing numbers of teenagers hanging around the streets on an evening.

To tackle this, they encouraged them to join Quest Taekwondo Club at Salendine Nook High School.

Police who see youngsters on the streets will tell them about the club and offer them leaflets.

Mark Bellanfante, leader and founder of the taekwondo group, will then give martial arts demonstrations to any youngsters who are tempted to join the club.

The taekwondo he will demonstrate is the only kind which is credited as an Olympic sport.

Mr Bellanfante said the idea to join forces with the police formed when he spoke to a community beat officer about a separate issue.

He said: "We chatted for a bit and the officer said he had seen a lot of kids hanging around. So we thought marketing the club to children in the area was a good idea."

Mr Bellanfante says his club was growing fast and very few students dropped out.

He added: "I started a year and a half ago with one student. Now I have 60."

"We are more than a martial arts club. We go bowling once a month and take trips to theme parks. We are very family-orientated."

The police and Mr Bellanfante have also been helped by Scouts at Bradley Wood. Scouts have a new building there, the Jubilee Centre, and Mr Bellanfante hopes to expand his taekwondo clubs there.

The Scout group is holding a bonfire on November 5.

Taekwondo sessions at Salendine Nook run for adults and children.

On Wednesday, from 6.30pm to 9pm, there is a mixed junior and senior class and sparring session.

On Saturdays, from 9.30am to 10.30am, there is a class for four to six-year-olds and from 10.30 to noon is a class for juniors and adults.

For more information phone Mr Bellanfante on 07906 309628.