MEDICAL experts last night told of their fears as plans were unveiled for the North's first cage fighting event.

The controversial combat sport, which combines martial arts with boxing, kick boxing and wrestling, made its debut in the UK a year ago.

Already established in the US and Japan, as well as the "ultimate fighting" capital of Amsterdam, the region's first glimpse of it will be at a club in Hartlepool next week.

Promoters said the sport was safe, and that they had rules in place to ensure fighters were not seriously hurt.

But the British Medical Association (BMA) and a North-East boxing official spoke of their concern about potential injuries from the no-holds-barred bouts.

A spokesman for the BMA said: "We are concerned about the proliferation of sports where the specific aim is to maim or injure an opponent."

Ron Harvey, secretary of the Tyne, Tees and Wear Amateur Boxing Association, said: "As with all contact sports, there is always an element of risk.

"If it is not authorised or licensed, then we would be totally against it."

Promoter Terry Rooke said risks would be kept to a minimum because fighters would wear protective equipment and there would be a doctor, St John Ambulance staff and a paramedic on hand.

Mr Rooke, who said the event will be under the guidance of the Conceptional Combat Science governing body, said: "We are hoping to have up to 12 fights. We have eight confirmed already with fighters from across the North-East.

"Everyone is insured, they have all got their own medical insurance, and they will be checked out before fighting by a doctor.

"It comes from America, but this will be the first time anything like this has been held over here.

"We have got people from Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton and up towards Newcastle, but we are hoping to stage more events which will be regional, national and international."

The cage in which the fights will be staged, which is 16ft in diameter and 8ft high, has been made by a company in Hartlepool.

The event will include five styles of fighting which involve punching, kicking and grappling.

Although fighters will wear gloves, a mouth shield and groin pad, they will not wear protective headgear like amateur boxers do.

The event is at the Corporation Welfare Club, Whitby Street, on December 9.