Young karate star Harry Adams has become an integral part of the National Karate Association (NKA) in Longton this year.

Teachers at the eight-year-old's school, St John's Primary in Trent Vale, said the youngster had suffered from a lack of confidence and self-esteem, and becoming a member of the Edensor Road-based NKA has helped Adams.

And he has even been to the Czech Republic with the team to compete in front of 2,500 people at the European Championships.

Adams, from Trent Vale, has been nominated in the Junior Individual category at the Sentinel/City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Personality of the Year Awards by his mum, Lisa.

She spoke to The Sentinel: "I was told by Harry's teachers that he suffered from low self-esteem and wasn't particularly confident in lessons.

"But since he has become a part of the team he has become much more confident and he has achieved so much in the past 12 months.

"It's amazing to see how much he has developed, not just in karate, but also as a person. He loves the sport and it has helped him being part of a team, especially one which has done so well."

As well as travelling abroad for the NKA's first international event, Harry has also achieved his green belt and performed in front of the Lady Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Sabrina Bowers, when she visited the club's base this year.

Lisa added: "He trains most nights and sometimes he is shattered because he works so hard.

"The club has helped Harry develop as a person and it's such a good team down there.

"He is so determined to do well and he's been a totally different lad since becoming part of the team.

"They're all good mates and hopefully he can continue to progress as well as he has done.

Harry's coach, Tony Castle, said: "He has worked so hard this year and he is much more confident now.

"A lot of people wouldn't be able to perform in front of so many people, but Harry did so in impressive fashion in the Czech Republic.

"We are lucky to have such a great team at the NKA and Harry has very much been part of what has been achieved this year.

"They all help each other along and are all extremely supportive of one another and there is no rivalry between the boys at all."