THE world of martial arts has been opened up to disabled people after new classes were launched in Oxford.

Top karate coach Ray Sweeney taught his first classes at OXSRAD leisure centre in Marston on Thursday, and will now start holding them weekly.

Mr Sweeney said he was inspired to help make karate accessible to physically disabled people and those with learning difficulties at an event in the city.

He said: “I was involved in a ParAbility Day, and I came out of that thinking ‘this is what I’m going to do’.

“I had been working with a lot of kids with mental impairments, and they were picking it up quicker than those without disabilities do, which was great to see.”

At the launch of the classes, one of Mr Sweeney’s main students was 20-year-old Simon Drew.

Mr Drew suffers from Asperger’s and his carer Kerry Hughes said he would struggle to cope in a normal-sized karate class.

He said: “It’s all about the environment they’re in, and how busy that environment is.

“Karate is brilliant for people who are on the autistic spectrum. It’s very empowering.”

Mr Drew, who lives in Henley,said he had enjoyed the class, and now has his own uniform to come to regular classes in.

The sessions run every Thursday, cost £15 for 12 weeks and include a free karate suit, white belt, syllabus book of techniques and a first grading.