A Bristol martial arts team has returned with a string of medals after competing in an international kung fu tournament.

Neil Genge, who lives in Headley Park, near Bishopsworth, has been teaching martial arts for nearly 30 years.

He won his first gold medal at the competition, which was held in Hong Kong.

The 49-year-old led his team of two students, Olivia Wong, 14, and Chris Dow, 32, through a series of events in what is billed as the Olympics of martial arts.

The Bristol team were the only British competitors in the event. They returned with four gold medals and one silver.

Mr Genge said: "It was a great honour to be asked to go to the tournament. There were people from all over the world taking part – about 1,600 competitors.

"I'm a teacher and I don't compete but I decided to enter the 'fly-whisk'.

"It's a competition using a traditional weapon used for swatting flies that has a metal tip.

"I was shocked and thrilled to win.

"There were some top masters of martial arts there. Chris and Olivia worked very hard and did brilliantly.

"It was a big thing to go out to Hong Kong, in terms of time and money, as we did it without sponsorship.

"Olivia was competing in the junior section. She won two gold medals, one in the rope dart and one in an open hand competition.

"Chris won gold in the double spear and a silver in Shaolin boxing. Not a bad result for Bristol from a three-person team."

Mr Genge has worked with the pair, who train at Hawks gym, Easton, for five years.

He said: "Olivia is still at school but she trains once a week for about three and a half hours. Chris trains about two or three times a week."

Mr Genge took up martial arts when he was younger and went to a karate class with his brother. He explained: "I got hooked then and I've always taught. We don't get a lot of recognition for the sport. We're registered with the Chinese embassy which helps our credibility but the medals speak for themselves."