Kick off the new year in emphatic style with a free self-defence session in Potters Bar.

Karate instructor Martin Fricker is launching a new self-defence class at the Furzefield Centre in Mutton Lane tonight and you can take part for free.

The demonstration will showcase Mr Fricker's brand of karate karate-jutsu which he says KOs the competition.

"You will learn more practical streetwise self-defence in six months than I did in nearly 20 years of karate," he says.

According to Mr Fricker, the most common form of karate instruction karate-do is merely a "watered down" version of the original karate-jutsu and is not as effective on the street.

"The practical self-defence on offer in most other karate clubs is unfortunately seriously lacking," he says.

However, David Alleyne, a fifth Dan in karate and founder of the School of Japanese Karate, which meets every week in Cat Hill, Barnet, and Brookmans Park, says karate-do is a potent way to protect yourself.

"We have many people who have used their self defence to protect themselves and their families in the street very effectively," he says.

The karate-jutsu demonstration begins at 7.30pm tonight (January 10). To find out more visit www.ju-jitsu.co.uk or call 01707 853 547.