Oxford Shudokan Aikido Club are marking their first anniversary - by launching a recruitment drive.

The organisation, based at the Oxford Karate Club off Cowley Road, started off with only a handful of members, and now boasts a core membership of around a dozen.

It was co-founded by Lionel Welsch, who was a student of Sensei, Ken Robson, a fifth belt Dan and fellow Oxford student Victoria Welch.

Robson is the Shudokan's national coach for the UK and Poland.

And because of the success, the club are shortly to start senior grade classes.

Welch, a second Dan black belt, has nearly 12 years' experience in Aikido, which relies on effective technique, rather than brute strength.

A reseacher at Oxford University's zoology department, Welsh has successfully run a number of clubs in Britain.

The Japanese martial art, which was developed by Morihei Ueshiba, incorporates locks, holds and throws.

Shudokan, one of the strongest and most effective styles of Aikido, was created by Master Thamby Rajah of Malaysia during the 1950s, and brought to the UK by one of his Students, the late Soke Edwin Stratton.

Club member Richard Watts said the club's instructors put great emphasis on training.

"We do a lot of stretching and aerobics work. But it's not done in a macho way.

"Aikido is primarily self-defence. It's all about people being positive about themselves and being aware of your surroundings.

"We do a lot of work defending yourself against baseball bats and sticks, and against a knife attack."

Students also use Aikido-based fitness training.

The club train twice a week, on Tuesdays from 8.30pm to 10.30pm at the Oxford Karate Academy off Cowley Road, and Thursdays between 8pm-10pm, at the South Oxford Community Centre off Abingdon Road.

Watts, who has been practising Aikido for five years, said: "We start off by teaching the students easy moves and then they gradually build on their repertoire.

"One of the first things we teach them on our ten-week beginners course is how to fall properly."

A free introductory lesson is available to newcomers. They also run a ten-week beginnners course for £50.

Anyone interested in Aikido should go to any of the training sessions or they can contact Watts on 07773 982719.