CAGE fighting looks set to become a fixture on Colchester’s entertainment calendar, despite safety fears.

Promoter Gavin Robinson hired Colchester Council-owned Charter Hall to stage the town’s first showcase of the emerging sport, which features techniques from a range of martial arts disciplines.

He said council bosses had been tough to please, demanding detailed information about potential risks, but had eventually given him the go-ahead.

After the night of bouts, starring serving soldiers, raised £530 for Help for Heroes, Mr Robinson now plans to hold follow-up events every six weeks.

He said: “The council wanted a lot of information and, by the time I got the final all-clear, I had less than four weeks to get the whole show up-and-running.

“Despite the lack of time, the venue was three-quarters full and everyone who came really enjoyed it.

“I’d say bringing cage-fighting to Colchester was the hardest thing I have ever done, but now the council has seen that it went well, hopefully we will be able to carry on with no problems.

“I’m looking to do another event on February 26 and then every six weeks after that.”

Tina Dopson, Colchester councillor responsible for Colchester Leisure World and Charter Hall, said: “When they first made the booking, we asked for extra information because it looked slightly beyond the norm.

“We made enquiries with other venues and, once we were satisfied it fulfilled our criteria, we accepted the booking.

“Now the principle has been established, I don’t forsee a problem with further bookings.”

Lande Fourie, of Colchester Karate Academy, said cage-fighting was frowned on by traditional martial arts clubs as it glamourised violence. She said: “In karate, the aim is to win by inflicting as few blows as possible, but with cage-fighting the judging system encourages you to get as many kicks and punches in as you can.

“My personal opinion is it should be restricted to adult-only clubs.”

Fighters at the inaugural event, which also boasted scantily-clad ring girls, included soldier Jamie Sutton, from Colchester, who lost in his first professional bout.

Mr Robinson said: “The sport can be brutal, but we always have a full medical team on stand-by.”