ACCORDING to insiders on the block-buster film, The Mask of Zorro, its leading actors endured six weeks of intensive coaching in the art of fencing.

By all accounts they took to it like ducks to water ... especially leading lady, Catherine Zeta Jones.

Fencing is one of the oldest sports in the world - earliest records are of the Romans using it for self defence and it remains Italy's second national sport.

It's the national sport of Germany, was an original Olympic discipline and has around 40,000 devotees in this country.

But has its popularity increased since the release of the aforementioned Hollywood film? Has the Mask of Zorro done for fencing what Back To The Future did for skateboarding? It was overtaken in the popularity stakes by judo and karate but it seems to be making something of a comeback "Well we've certainly seen an increase in our membership," says David Varey - coach at Bolton Fencing Club.

"Whether it's anything to do with the film - I couldn't say, but there has been a flurry of interest from a fair number of people.

"However, numbers do fluctuate. For example, the Christmas period was relatively quiet but things are picking up now."

David teaches fencing to an eclectic array of willing students, ranging from tots to the more 'mature', at the YMCA building on Deansgate.

"My youngest pupil is just six," he says, "and I think the oldest is around 70. I have a lady who I believe is around 65 and she's been fencing for years. She also happens to be very good," he adds.

Clearly fencing is a sport suited to any age and, stresses David, any shape and size.

Popping into one of his Tuesday lunchtime classes only confirms this as a host of "padded" figures shift up and down the floor. Clad in regulation padded jackets and face-covering helmets, the students, having selected their foils (light swords) are aiming to strike their opponents before being hit with the two-feet of steel themselves.

Images of Errol Flynn leaping athletically from the chandelier - hand-on-hip, foil 'on guard' and yelling "a palpable hit sire" - are swiftly swiped from my mind as I watch the fencers.

Clearly this is a sport of gracefulness and can be enjoyed by everyone - irrespective of fitness.

David is keen to point out that women have no disadvantage when it comes to fencing - it's all about skill. Even the "first-timers" can get plenty out of it.

But, and I'm harping back to those Errol Flynn flicks here, hasn't fencing always carried an elitist image?

"I suppose so," admits David, who's been teaching the sport for just over 12 years, "but it shed that reputation years ago.

"I consider it a people's sport." Jenny Lawrence, 21 is originally from Devon but moved to Bolton when she attended Bolton Institute.

"I've been fencing for about a year," she says, "and believe me, it's addictive. I come here twice a week."

Her fencing partner, Dave Sherwood, 44, from Clitheroe, says: "I used to fence in the early 70s and then, for one reason and another, gave up.

"I picked it up again two years ago and try to make a couple of classes a week.

"Fencing is a sport that makes you think - it's very intense, I describe it as physical chess."

For David Varey, fencing is a passion and a sport he's keen to advertise.

"For 200 years or so, it was taught in almost every school in the country but died a death in the late 60s and early 70s," he says.

"It was overtaken in the popularity stakes by judo and karate but it seems to be making something of a comeback - especially in schools."

David is currently coaching students at Turton High School. Once a week, boys and girls from years four and six don full fencing gear and spend a couple of hours learning the sport. "They've only been learning for three months," he says, "but I can already see some promising fencers among them."

PE instructor at Turton High, Matt Ginnis - who's also caught the fencing bug - says: "David contacted the school and asked if we'd be interested in holding lessons here.

"I thought it was a great idea and the students have been enthusiastic about it.

"A number have already entered competitions in the area and the classes seem to grow every week."

Pupil Alison Spooner , 17, from Darwin has been fencing for just over a month and is already "hooked".

he smiles: "It's good fun and you're hooked after the first lesson.

"I like the fact there's no sexism - girls can fence with boys. It's not about physical strength, it's more to do with manoeuvres." Richard Wyncoll, 16, from Harwood got the fencing bug last September.

"It's more intense than any team sports - it's one-to-one and you can only move in a limited area.

"Many people consider it to be an easy sport, but it's not - it takes a lot out of you. But it's brilliant - I really enjoy it."

Matt Ginnis adds: "It's taken off really well here, in fact, many of the pupils have bought their own kit - David supplies the rest."

The students are so keen on their new sport, they have already raised £500 for equipment.

"However," says Matt, "one of our school governors has been so impressed by the pupils' commitment, he's put a bid into the Sports Council for £2,500 so we can buy some more."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.