A NEW martial arts centre has become such a success it could soon open full-time.

People from as far afield as London have been attending the kung-fu courses at Martial Arts Temple in St John's.

The inside of the centre, which opened almost three months ago, is decked out in the style of a Chinese temple.

The facility, which holds women's self-defence classes and boasts a Bruce Lee training programme and Chinese boxing sessions, should open full-time towards the end of this year.

It means it will be open every day from 10am until 10pm.

Founder Lee Jones, known as Lee J, said 40 members had already signed up.

"The fact it has been well supported has made this option possible," he said.

"A lot of the people who come here are from St John's, Droitwich, Kidderminster and Bromsgrove.

"Two people come from London every Sunday from 10am till noon to learn kung-fu."

White Trash

Ex-rocker Mr Jones, who used to be in band White Trash, is also a tutor at the Skinner Street centre.

"We have about 12 women in our self-defence classes," said the dad-of-three.

"They're not about power, but redirecting energy.

"We use the claw style, which focuses on the eyes and groin, so all women who learn this technique have a very good chance of defending themselves."

Mr Jones, who has honed his martial arts skills over the past 21 years, said pupils ranged from five to 48-year-olds.

"The five-year-old learns defence and kicks in kung-fu," said Mr Jones, of Pitmaston Road, St John's.

"We've also got a Bruce Lee course.

"People can follow the Bruce Lee training programme, which includes the same nutritional diet as Bruce Lee.

"Mind you, he spent 16 hours a day training, but we won't put our students through that."

Open

The centre is currently open Mondays from 11am until 1pm and 7pm until 10pm, Tuesdays from 11am to 1pm and 7.30pm until 8.30pm, Thursdays from 11am until 1pm, and 7pm until 10pm and Sundays from 10am until noon.

For details on courses and prices contact Martial Arts Temple on 01905 423884.