Get fighting fit with self-defence

5. If attacked, try targeting your assailant's vulnerable body parts such as the eyes, throat and groin. There's no right or wrong order of which area to hit first, as long as you can get to these weak points. The ultimate goal is to distract or disable your attacker so you can get away.

6. Carrying weapons isn't recommended, but everyday items such as pens, credit cards and keys can - when shoved into an assailant's face, for example - injure them and give you a chance to escape.

7. In certain situations, being aggressive can mean survival,' explains Turton. Don't be afraid to scream, turn belligerent or act on your fear. 'If being aggressive for 10 seconds lets you be a lady for 20 years, then it's worth it,' he says.

Taking a self-defence class is a great way to sharpen your safety instincts and improve your chances of escape if attacked. Learning how to transform fear into power can be, quite literally, a lifesaver.

Liz Clark www.womens-selfdefence.co.uk is another instructor affiliated with the Self-Defence Federation who runs independent courses for women in North London.

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