A Taekwondo teacher held a special course at a school to teach women self defence techniques.

Marc Buckingham, of Cherry Tree Close in Halstead, ran the course at St Andrew’s Primary School in Mathews Close after being inspired by a speech from a former female police colleague.

Mr Buckingham said: “People spend a lot of time telling women not to walk down dark alleys and not to get too drunk, but women are much more likely to get attacked by people they know.

“It is a very practical self defence course for women who want to know some techniques to avoid becoming the victims of violence and sexual violence.”

Mr Buckingham said he hopes to run the course once a month.