A martial arts club in Carlisle is offering sessions for those who are in search for something a bit different to conventional exercise classes.

Mark Lancaster from Carlisle was introduced to Historical Martial Arts in London before bringing it over to Carlisle and forming The Exiles Carlisle branch.

The martial art, which sees combatants take each other on with heavy duty - albeit blunted - steel blades, daggers and pole axes.

Mark, a medieval history enthusiast said the sessions offer a lot more than a form of exercise.

He said: "The difference between what we do and what historical re-enactors does, is we work off original manuscripts.

"It is fundamentally different.

"The system we use was originally designed to wound and kill. There's also a lot to do with dagger fighting and unarmed fighting.

"If you think about everything in martial arts - it is there.

"What re-enactors are trying to do is a display as spectacular as possible.

"What we do can be dangerous.

"As a group we have a curriculum and a set of grades. There's a large emphasis on health and safety and we don't want anyone getting injured at all.

"We also have a diversity and inclusivity policy and we don't turn anyone away."

Mark said that the Exiles sessions, which were able to re-commence at Norman Street School in Botcherby, Carlisle in April are also intended to inspire people to take an interest in history.

He added: "A lot of people think that medieval fighting is what you see on films and re-enactments.

"We're just trying to say, 'this is how they did it, and this is why they did it' because not every weapon is there.

"It's just about getting people interested in the whole thing.

"For some strange reason, with this martial art, there's not much belly exercise. You can quite easily have a spare tyre, but still be a good fighter.

"It's a lot to do with the legs."

Find out more about the The Exiles Carlisle on their Facebook page.