IF I was ever to find myself in a fight, I would be more Bruce Forsyth than Bruce Lee.

I needed to toughen up.

So I accepted an invitation to visit the SD School of Martial Arts, on Moorside, Colchester, to see how their new urban defence class could teach me how to protect myself.

Sean Doyland, senior instructor and owner of the school, greeted me on my arrival, and assured me: “Don’t worry, we’ll be gentle.”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” I replied, with what turned out to be misplaced confidence.

As I entered the training hall, I expected to see black-clad ninjas smashing pieces of wood with their heads, or using their minds to make small objects levitate.

What I actually saw was a group of 11 to 18-year-olds, dressed in red T-shirts.

Oh dear, I thought, this could be embarrassing.

We started with a light warm-up, jogging around the hall, while throwing imaginary punches.

I was quite enjoying it, until I noticed the children sprinting past me. By the time we were doing press-ups and sit-ups, I was wheezing like an asthmatic Scotsman playing the bagpipes.

The parents watching were struggling to hide their laughter, as I punched and kicked my imaginary opponent. I reckon a boxing judge would have given the Invisible Man victory on points.

So I made my excuses and left the arena to catch my breath, in time to ask some of the parents why they had enrolled their children in the class.

Tracey Piper, 37, a carer from Monkwick, had taken her 12-year-old daughter Kelcey to the school.

She said: “This teaches them how to deal with the day-to-day stuff that can happen. It teaches them to look after themselves.

“I think more kids should get involved. This is really good for them.”

Umit Isikgun, a businessman from Lexden, was watching Eren, his 11-year-old son.

He said: “The discipline is fantastic. Sean is very strict with them. They know it is self defence and should only be used to defend yourself.”

The theme is very much on self defence.

When taking the youngsters through body posture, Mr Doyland and fellow instructor Gavin Crawley emphasise the importance of using non-threatening body language.

Simple gestures, such as putting your hands up to your face but keeping your palms open, can help to defuse a hostile situation.

Mr Doyland, who has owned the business for seven years, said: “It’s a mix of kickboxing, karate and other martial arts. It’s all different types of disciplines.”

He believes classes, such as this, help people build confidence, meaning body posture alone could deter any potential attackers.

He said: “If you are not confident, that is how bullying starts. If you are walking about hunched up and scared, people will notice.”

Mr Doyland also believes the key is to be aware of your surroundings, and try not to be distracted.

He said: “Most attacks happen when people are on their mobile phones. You can use things around you to defend yourself, such as throwing leaves or dirt in someone’s eyes.”

I walked home feeling slightly more confident that if I was set upon by a group of delinquents, I would be able to buy myself enough time to scamper off.

For more information about the classes, visit www.sd-martialarts.co.uk or call 01206 860008.