TOP judo stars got together to train for a European competition. Dartford's £4.5m judo centre hosted a two-day training camp for international stars including four Olympic and world champions.

Seventy-five athletes took part in the event, which began on January 30, with some travelling from as far as Canada and America.

They used the centre in Cotton Lane, Dartford, as a base before competing in the Belgian Open in Vise, eastern Belgium, last Saturday.

The centre was officially opened in March last year by Princess Anne.

Its glass-fronted building has 400 seats for spectators as well as specialist mats and a training room.

It is used daily by Dartford Judo Club and regularly holds competitions and training events.

Founder of Dartford Judo Club Alan Roberts says the centre is the right place for international stars to train.

He said: "They have come to Dartford because it is the biggest judo training centre in England and without a doubt it will be used in the 2012 Olympics."

The 62-year-old, from Hextable, has been a coach in Dartford for 41 years.

He added: "It was built with the top judo players in mind and they found our facilities to be perfect for their needs before they made the short hop to Belgium for the competition."