PEOPLE in Marlborough can learn the secrets of sword fighting thanks to a new medieval martial arts class starting in the town.

Medieval Martial Arts has been holding classes in Avebury for eight years and business partners Leon Flower and Marcus Glendinning have now decided to expand their business and begin classes at St Mary’s Church Hall.

Students will learn to wield swords, use a quarterstaff staff and the art of bare-fist fighting.

Mr Flower, who will be teaching the classes, said: “When you tell people that you practice European or English martial arts they’re always quite surprised and intrigued because everybody has heard of judo or karate but no one really knows about English martial arts.

“It’s the kind of techniques knights would have used – they didn’t just go into battle, they had a lot of training.

“Training is fun and good for our fitness and it also has practical self defence applications.

“I got into it when we set up the first club.

“Marcus had trained with a master in London and when we both moved from Hertfordshire 11 years ago we decided to set up a club because you need other people to practice with.

“I was never into sport at school and things like fencing didn’t suit me, but when I was younger I always wanted to be a knight.”

Despite the use of weapons Mr Flower, a qualified instructor, said the classes are perfectly safe.

He said: “We wear protective kit and warm up properly first.

“Both Marcus and I have first aid training and are properly insured and the people who take the classes have student-to-student insurance. “ The classes are suitable for anyone over the age of 16, whether they are beginners or have tried out other types of martial arts in the past.

Classes are held on Wednesdays from 8.30pm until 10pm.

Visit www.medievalmartial arts.co.uk, call 07812 839068 or email crow.dark@virgin.net