Weekly News reporter Charlotte Austen-Hardy is put through her paces at Combat Academy Chelmsford

BEING quite small and, if I’m honest, pretty unfit, I’ve always thought if someone attacked me, there would be very little I could do about it.

But a new self defence class aims to teach the skills needed to escape if you are unfortunate enough to be targeted.

My friend Megan French and I visited Combat Academy, at Great Baddow Recreation Ground, and had a go.

After a theory session, delivered by instructor Richard Mitchener, of Rayleigh, we learnt basic head locks, blocks and defensive moves before it all got more intense as we were taught how to throw Richard.

To my delight I found that, despite being taller and heavier than me, I was able to throw and pin Richard to the ground.

Richard, who also trains his wife Steph and their daughters Jazmine and Kendra, said: “What we teach is real, which means it is effective in a real life situation.

“It includes techniques that can be applied in a variety of situations regardless of your size and strength.

“The more we improve our approach to personal safety the less chance we have of becoming a victim.”

Although I need a few more sessions before feeling confident in my new skills I now realise that, while I might be little, I will not necessarily be a victim.

Find out more at www.combat-academy.co.uk or contact Richard on 07798 628 207 or @CombatEssex.