THERE was an "excellent evening" of kickboxing in Menstrie two weeks ago in support of talented local young people flying to a major event.

The IKMS Martial Arts Fight Night went ahead at the Dumyat Centre and, as reported previously, mums Arlene Allison and Janice Kremer decided to pull the gloves on in a bid to help fundraise for their respective sons Luca and Neo.

And they duly stepped into the ring following weeks of gruelling training, with the fight lasting the full three rounds.

Janice emerged victorious in what was certainly the headline bout on the night.

But it was a friendly affair – indeed, both mums told the Advertiser beforehand that while they hadn't known each other well before starting training, they found they actually get along really well.

Arlene said: "It was an excellent evening, all fights went ahead as planned, it was really-really good, just very busy.

"Looking back, it's a great experience and I'm definitely really chuffed I've done it.

"Straight after you've got such a high and you feel that low coming down the next couple of days, you just feel as if you've got nothing to work towards.

"It was certainly really good and we are looking at something different for the next fundraiser."

Sons Luca Allison and Neo Kremer are part of a local team of five who have now flown out to Thailand to represent Scotland in various kickboxing disciplines at the Fifth International Thai Martial Arts Games and Festival.

They are joined by Cailean Miller, an 11-year-old Menstrie Primary pupil; nine-year-old Keeva Duncan from Bannockburn Primary and Izaak Balfour, 16, who is studying at Wallace High.

While there is an obvious world-wide concern over the coronavirus, it is understood the event is still going ahead and the Scottish team, joined by IMKS coach John Miller, has already had the chance to train with some true martial arts masters.