TWO East Yorkshire mums are using their expertise in martial arts to set up a business teaching women self-defence.

Debbie Potter, from Londesborough, and her colleague Cathy Henworth, from Nunburnholme, have just gained their first and second and black belts in ju-jitsu and hope their knowledge will help ensure women stay out of danger.

They set up Safe Girls after numerous requests from friends and family to teach their teenage daughters some essential self-defence techniques before they went to college or university, travelling on a gap year or because they wanted them to be safe when socialising at parties, nightclubs and music festivals.

Although Debbie and Cathy thought the initial interest in Safe Girls would come from young women aged between 16 and 24, they say they have been “amazed” by how many inquiries they have received from women of all ages and walks of life wanting to know more about picking up personal safety tips.

Debbie said: “We have had grandmothers, mums and daughters inquiring about our workshops.”

Safe Girls is currently running a series of ladies-only workshops and classes in East Yorkshire and Debbie and Cathy say they can cater for schools, universities and colleges interested in providing the training for female pupils and students.

For more details, visit the Safe Girls website at safe-girls.co.uk or phone Debbie on 07841 836821.