BOLTON schoolkids are being given expert tuition in martial arts during special self-defence classes.

Pupils from Withins High School, Breightmet, today began the first of a series of pioneering lessons to be held over a seven week period.

The classes have been arranged after the school contacted owners of Bolton Thai-Boxing Club and follow on the success of a four-week pilot scheme run two years ago.

But martial arts teacher Sandy Holt says rather than promoting violence in the playground it will help youngsters become less confrontational.

Nearly 40 16-year-olds at the school will take part in two separate lessons, which will focus on methods of protection.

And Sandy says he will be using his own experiences of being bullied when he was at school during the lessons.

The double British and European Thai-boxing champion said: "I was bullied for four years and that's why I started Thai-boxing.

"Bullies don't bother with a person when they know they could be hurt if they pick on him or her. We'll be showing them how to avoid violence, not cause it. Thai-boxing is as much about learning how to defend yourselves as anything else.

"They'll be taught some skilled movements which may help them get out of a tricky situation without being confrontational."

Sandy, 38, also claims the classes may help steer youngsters away from the potential dangers of drugs.

He said: "It will help to give kids a thing they can focus on in their lives to steer them away from drugs and other obnoxious things they may be tempted by.

"We won't be teaching these children to fight. We'll be showing them how important it is not to use the skills as well as when it may be necessary to use them."

Micahel Wright, head of Personal and Social Education at the school, said: "The idea of this course is to help pupils build up self-confidence and to put them in control of their own lives.

"We have got to face the sad fact that these days people have to face violence at certain times.

"This course will show pupils how they can defend themselves against any possible threat."

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