AN INCREASE in the number of teenagers wanting to learn self-defence has forced a popular Oxford martial arts club to move to a bigger home.

The Mount Everest Tae kwon do club has almost trebled in size from 12 students to 35 since opening at the Rose Hill Community Centre five months ago.

Now the club has relocated to the estate’s primary school so youngsters have enough room to practice Club instructors believe problems with bullying and a lack of evening activities on one of Oxford’s biggest estates has given their classes a shot in the arm.

Master instructor Bo Mitchell, 58, said: “A lot of people in Rose Hill community are taking part and many of them have decided to get involved after being bullied or seeing bullying at school.

“I was surprised by its growth, but there’s so many people interested in martial arts in Rose Hill. I think we could have club of about 50 students there soon.”

Lloyd Barrett, who has learning difficulties, took up tae kwon do after he was pinned to the ground and attacked by a group of youngsters outside Rose Hill Youth Club in March last year.

His mother, Frances, 39, said: “Lloyd had problems with bullying but it’s calmed down now because he has a lot more strength and he feels more confident.

“I don’t want people hurting him so now he’s learned self-defence he can take care of himself.

“He loves the classes and he’s come out of his shell.

“He’s communicating better and it makes me feel I don’t have to worry half as much about him.”

Lloyd, 19, from Radford Close said: “The instructors have made me much more confident.

“Now I feel brave, I don’t feel scared at all.”

Alisha Thapa, 14, of Rivermead Road, took up tae kwon do four months ago after her 11-year-old brother Prayash joined the classes.

The Year 10 Oxford School pupil, who takes the classes twice a week, said: “I wanted to learn self-defence in case anyone tries to attack me.

“It’s getting quite famous, most of the young people on the estate know about it and lots of kids are joining up.

“When you know you can defend yourself you don’t feel scared. You feel much more confident.”

Instructor Deborah Campbell, 47, from Cowley, said: “The kids all live on an estate and I think they all feel the need to know self-defence to protect themselves.

“Youngsters taking up tae kwon do gain respect for their elders. They also gain a lot of confidence and they learn discipline and how to keep fit.”

Classes are held on Fridays, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and Saturdays from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.