A MARTIAL arts club has secured funding to launch classes for disabled people.

North West Warriors Martial Arts and Fitness Centre is running classes for children and adults to give them the chance to learn new skills, keep fit and build confidence.

Paul Smith, who opened the club in Vale Street, Breightmet, nine years ago, says it is the only facility in Bolton offering martial arts classes for disabled people.

The club also recently launched sessions for deaf people, attended by Lorri Wilson, from Sign 4 Sport, who has been a British Sign Language (BSL) communicator for 10 years.

Mr Smith, aged 43, the current ISKA world champion, was inspired to take up martial arts at the age of 11 by actor and martial arts legend Bruce Lee.

He said: "Our martial arts and fitness sessions will include basic martial arts and basic fitness work done a fun, friendly way which will suit everyone regardless of their disabilities.

"The main massage I would like to get across to everyone is don't let your disability get in the way of learning martial arts and keeping fit and active.

"Our sessions really are tailored for everyone and I want everyone who thought they would never get the opportunity to do martial arts to come down to our sessions."

The funding has been granted funding by Sportivate, run by Sport England and the National Lottery, and was awarded to the club by Bolton Council.

Mr Smith and his team have been working with Jamie Agar, the council's disability sports development officer to ensure all disabilities are catered for.

Parents, carers and siblings are welcome to get involved in the sessions or can relax in an upstairs area where they can enjoy a hot drink and connect to the club's free Wi-Fi.

Classes on Mondays, at 10am, are for people aged over 16 and Wednesday sessions, at 8.30pm, are for school-aged children.

The centre is on the ground floor, with an entrance designed for wheelchair access and it has disabled toilets and parking.

The sessions cost £3. Contact Mr Smith on 07779 142502 for more information.