KICKBOXERS usually rely on their sight as much as their strength, speed and agility.

So the participants at a class run at the University of Nottingham's Jubilee Campus have a distinct disadvantage over most people who are trying to master the martial art.

Professional Kickboxing Association (PKA) instructor Martin Byrne came up with the idea of running classes for people who are blind or have vision problems after he heard about a similar project in Scotland.

He has already held his first 90-minute session with a group from Notts Royal Society for the Blind (NRSB) – and he now hopes the classes will continue throughout the summer.

Martin said: "At all of my clubs we take great pride in making kickboxing available to everyone, it gave me great pleasure to share the sport I feel so passionate about with a group of individuals that are often restricted in what sports are available to them."

Stella, 67, who did not want to give her last name, began to lose her vision more than two years ago.

She said: "I enjoyed it – it was a giggle. They adapted certain moves and it really felt as if I had taken proper part in it.

"It was really good and we got the feeling they [the instructors] enjoyed us being there."

The group were aged between 19 and 67 and all had various levels of sight ranging from tunnel vision to total blindness. They learned and practiced a wide range of punches and complex kicking routines which Martin said most fully-sighted people would find challenging.

Faye Dale, NRSB's sports and healthy lifestyle officer, said: "It was fantastic and people came away wanting to do it again."

Mohammed Sabour had no idea what kickboxing was prior to the session and due to his complete sight loss had never seen it on TV.

He said: "At first I was a little hesitant but I got more and more confident as the class went on.

"I'm now really looking forward to the next class."

For more on kickboxing classes, call Martin on 07979 965404 or visit www.nottinghamkickboxing.com. For details on vision-impaired sports in Notts, call 0115 9706806.