Kelly Edwards' Wrekin club is expanding

And the Telford-based martial arts school is planning to expand its set up in its 50th year to help nurture a new generation of potential champions.

Wrekin Star, which is based at Charlton School Sport Hall in Wellington, currently has around 50-60 regulars practicing the popular Olympic sport.

Club bosses are keen to expand that number by increasing the amount of sessions it offers and they are launching beginners only classes from September for children from as young as four-years-old.

Training is currently held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-9pm and coach Gareth Mapp said: "We are looking to start some different sessions in September.

"We are looking to run some beginners only sessions for adults and juniors, including a class for four-to-six year-olds to give them an introduction into the sport."

The latter will be known as Judotot classes and Mapp is keen to cater for people of all ages and abilities.

He said: "Historically the club's main focus has been as a recreational Judo club to introduce the sport to thousands of Telford's children and adults.

"The club has delivered sessions in many schools and colleges over the years, and having recently relocated with support from Charlton School, we are looking to increase membership and the number of sessions that we deliver.

"The club caters for anyone that wants to take part, whether that is learning the sport, achieving grades or becoming a competition fighter.

"Current members are progressing well through the Judo grades and have begun to compete with success at local, regional and national competition, aspiring to International representation."

Aspiring internationals have a high-profile role model in Edwards, the current 52kg Commonwealth Games silver medallist.

Edwards, now 24, began training at the club aged just 11, and has since gone onto compile a stellar record.

She became a Great Britain international at 13, a cadet, junior and senior GB squad member at 14 and a British junior and senior champion aged 16.

That was followed by European Youth Olympic bronze at 16, junior European bronze at 17 and her first GB senior competition selection came two years later when she was chosen to compete at the European Championships.

She finished seventh in that event before coming ninth at the World Championships and was the youngest member of GB team for London 2012 Olympics, aged just 21.

Edwards came within a whisker of adding Commonwealth Games gold to that list in Glasgow 2014 before a last second penalty saw Scotland's Louise Rennicks beat her into second place.

Edwards, who still receives coaching from Mapp today to compliment her tuition at the Great British judo team, will be aiming to add a medal in Baku.

And Mapp said: "Kelly has inspired a lot of the youngsters, especially the girls.

"She makes them realise that they can do judo just as well as the boys, which is great."

Edwards continues to coach at the club when her Great Britain commitments allow, and forms one part of a five-strong coaching team which also includes Mapp, Dave Thomas, Ian Brown and Pete Crump.

All are volunteers who receive no money for their time and the club is also assisted by a committee of volunteers which includes chair Jeanette Gripton, secretary Vanessa Harley and Mandy Crump.

The club will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a dinner event at Telford's Park Inn Hotel on October 2 and bosses would like to see as many current and past members as possible.

Several special guests from the world of judo have been invited to attend and the club would also like to invite anyone that has been involved in Telford Judo at any time in the last 50 years

They would also be keen to see any old photographs, videos and general memorabilia of judo in the Telford area since 1965.

Wrekin Star was originally named Wrekin Judo Club when it opened in 1965 at Horsehay Village Hall.

It was re-named when it merged with Phoenix Star around 15 years ago and has had several different homes over the years.

Life has not always been easy for the club over the last five decades but bosses are feeling positive about the future.

Mapp said: "It's incredible that for 50 years, Wrekin Star Judo Club has provided opportunities for anyone that wants to try out the fantastic Olympic sport of Judo.

"Whether for fun, fitness, grades, or with aspirations of being an Olympian, it has something for everyone and it is a privilege to be a part of it.

"Thanks to the volunteers, players and parents, we are looking forward to another 50 years."