A 58-year old martial arts expert has come up with a novel idea of teaching the elderly to defend themselves using their canes.

Kevin Garwood, of Gorleston, near Great Yarmouth, has put up a special martial arts class for pensioners - apparently - his lessons are paying off.

This was after an old woman fought off two muggers who grabbed her arm and handbag.

"She went to the police station because she was worried about having hurt the boys," said Kevin.

Presently, Garwood holds three walking stick self-defense classes a week and is planning to add more sessions this year.

"What I am not trying to do is make grey-haired ninjas or have people twitching and always looking over their shoulders. What it does is give them tremendous confidence," said Garwood.

Garwood says his classes begin with a simple warm-up, focusing on gentle movements of the hands, wrists, arms and bodies and going on to turning and twirling the stick.

Then, he teaches his students a set of movements and simple strangleholds, arm locks and throws, and most importantly, how to use their walking sticks.