AN 'inspirational' man from Kendal who recently started his journey in the world of martial arts is training for his black belt.

85-year-old Mark Marshall has been training with Sensei Richard Smith in Bōjutsu at Kesshin Kai in Kendal for three years every Monday.

Bōjutsu, or Bō, is a discipline of Japanese martial arts that revolves around the use of a long staff as its central weapon.

Sensei Richard Smith said Mark first came to him at the end of November with pain in his back after he had slipped on ice.

He said: "Before I knew this, I jokingly said: 'You look old today'. He laughed his head off and I told him I could fix it with no problem and he said he would do anything to get better.

"The following Monday we started training, and after two weeks, he was better. 

"He asked me if I could carry on teaching him so I did and thought it would help him with his fitness, joints and also his mental health for a couple of months over Covid. But he kept turning up, so I kept teaching him.

"I teach him for free because he is a good man. He is the only guy I have taught Bōjutsu.

"Bō on its own is to help the back, the joints, the knees and the hips."

READ MORE: Postmen colleagues to cycle to Scotland for heart charity

Last week the Sensei gave him a suit, and later he took his first grading.

"He really did well and is now looking forward to doing his next grades towards his Black Belt in November 2024," said Sensei Richard Smith.

He added: "He is preparing for his demo at the Kesshin Kai & Sport Nunchaku 26th Annual Awards Evening at Castle Green Hotel on November 25 2023."