Ultimate fighters find new venue

The organisers of an "ultimate fighting" match have found a new venue in Worcestershire after being banned by a number of local authorities.

UK Storm, based in Birmingham, had wanted to stage a recent no-holds-barred fighting competition at the city's Sanctuary nightclub.

But it was stopped by the council, and the event will now be held at Willow Farm, Lenchwick, near Evesham.

About 1,000 people are expected to watch the fighting on 4 September.

Caged fights

Sarah Brindle, from UK Storm, told BBC News Online that Wychavon District Council had approved the event which would go ahead as planned.

She said a number of international fighters would be taking part.

The statistics show there are few serious injuries at our bouts Sarah Brindle UK Storm

"We've got world champions doing seminars," she said.

"We've got Thai boxing bouts and then we've got amateur and professional mixed martial arts fights going on throughout the day and evening.

"Some of the fights are in a cage and others are in a ring."

Plans to stage bouts in the past have been stopped by other local authorities on the grounds of taste and public safety.

"It's prejudice," Ms Brindle said. "The statistics show there are few serious injuries at our bouts. They are very popular."

A Wychavon District Council spokeswoman said an indoor sports public entertainments licence had been granted for a fundraising martial arts contest, after consultation with police.

She said representatives from the authority would be at the event to monitor noise and to enforce health and safety rules.