AN international martial arts contest will take place in Newton Aycliffe next month.

Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre is hosting the 10th Goshin Ryu International Total Ring Combat Tournament on Saturday, October 2.

The mixed martial arts tournament will consist of 18 bouts. Top of the bill will be a heavyweight contest between Keith Dace and Newton Aycliffe fighter Robert 'Buzz' Berry.

Father and son John and Tim Close, from Spennymoor, will also be representing the area in the tournament, alongside Stephen Dowding and Colin Stewart.

There will be three ability levels in the competition, which will include amateur, semi-professional and professional bouts.

The amateur and semi-professional bouts will consist of two five-minute rounds, the professional bouts of three five-minute rounds.

The competition features participants with different skills, including boxing, wrestling, kick boxing and thai boxing, competing against each other in a professional arena to determine which martial art is the best.

There will be two doctors on site at all times throughout the competition, oxygen will also be available if required, and ample water supplies to ensure the safety of all competitors.

Tickets are on sale now and start from £15 for balcony seats, £25 for floor seats and go up to £280 for ringside VIP tables, which hold a maximum of eight people and offer a waitress bar service.

Doors open from 6pm, with the first fight at 7.30pm. To book or for more information, call event organiser Peter McQueen on 0191-512 0152.