IN the wake of the fatal stabbing of a schoolboy, a North East martial arts expert is to teach pupils about the dangers of knives.

Mike Ilderton has just completed a course aimed at tackling the knife culture.

Mr Ilderton, a martial arts enthusiast and teacher, had become increasingly concerned about the growing trend for the use of weapons in certain combative sectors of the sport.

He has just completed a Home Office-backed Be Safe campaign course to become an anti-knife trainer.

Following the death of schoolboy footballer Kiyan Prince, who was stabbed outside a school in North London last Thursday, Mr Ilderton is offering to visit schools to share his knowledge.

After learning of the Be Safe campaign, which aims to combat knife and gun culture, Mr Ilderton, who lives in Newcastle, volunteered for the course in Essex to become a trainer in the anti-knife project.

On Friday, only hours after returning from his training, he was already being inundated with requests asking him to spread the message in the North-East.

As well as dispelling the myth that it is safe to carry a knife for self-defence, Mr Ilderton also aims to get the message across that any stab wound is potentially fatal.

He said: "The knife culture is now endemic and I see this voluntary work very much as a crusade."

In his talks, Mr Ilderton will use graphic photographs of stabbings.

Among the photos will be that of the body of a young girl lying in a hospital bed. The story behind the picture is that she was carrying a knife for protection but, after being set upon by a gang, the knife was used on her instead.

But Mr Ilderton was keen to stress that the message of the Be Safe campaign was not judgmental.

He said: "I simply want to get home to youngsters the dangers and consequences of carrying knives.''

The campaign has already seen substantial successes in the South and in the Leeds area.

To contact Mr Ilderton, call 07812 989756.