SELF discipline, the ability to mix, physical fitness and self defence sound like the attributes parents would expect their children to develop at a good school.

In fact, they are all on the agenda for children as young as six at Warrington's Thai Boxing Club in Orford Lane.

David Jackson, who has been into martial arts for 15 years, set up the club 10 years ago.

"For the youngest children, we are helping to develop skills, movement and balance.

"There is no head contact. When they get older, it is easier for them to progress. At six, we develop character," said David.

He said that at that age, children could not be taught to defend themselves against a big person, but they could deliver a short sharp shock and run away.

"We get them to mix with others and create less of an environment where they might turn into bullies themselves," said David.

"They mix with people at school better, especially if a stranger comes to the school.

"It's important to be able to mix with people of different races too," said David. "They get a good all-round development. We watch them grow up into well balanced kids."

He said that if they were well schooled in Thai boxing, they tended not to get into trouble. They became disciplined young adults.

"Once you have those skills, you tend not to use them. This is not a violent art," he added.

"It might seem violent in a ring, on TV, but only about five per cent of people at the club want this. The rest want self defence and fitness."

The club has a senior section as well as juniors. Some of the seniors are among the best Thai boxers in the country.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.