NURSES at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital have been given special safety training.

Murray Bruton, a Gloucester- based martial arts instructor, spoke to workers at a session held on Wednesday afternoon.

However, in a change from traditional martial arts lessons, it did not look at how to fight back against attackers, but how to avoid trouble in the first place.

Mr Bruton, who has more than 30 years' experience in martial arts, explained: "I thought I should do something when I read a story in The Citizen about nurses fearing for their safety when walking to their cars.

"However, martial arts fighting skills are not going to be any use unless you devote yourself to practising them for years.

"Instead, I teach cognitive security psychology, which teaches people that their best defence is their brain.

"If you are aware of your environment, you can ensure you avoid problems.

"If you have to resort to using your physical strength as defence, you have missed several opportunities to get out of trouble already."

Martin added that recent events in Blackpool, where a nurse was murdered as she walked to her car after a shift, highlighted the need for the training.

He said: "People should learn to use their heads to prevent an attack – rather than their hands and feet for fighting back.

"Cognitive security psychology is better self defence every time."

Verna Phillips, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) representative at the hospital, helped set up the lessons.

She said: "The staff who attended really enjoyed themselves – we have had some really positive feedback from them.

"A lot of them were saying they will now be pushing to make this part of our official training.

"As far as the RCN is concerned, we just want to support nurses both in their work and home lives, and this will help them in both areas."

■ To find out more about his work, or to book a class, contact Murray on 07973 740295 or visit www.seishindojo.co.uk.