AN internationally renowned martial arts expert has offered to use his skills to help troubled young people in Swindon.

Dr Yuree Makee, Grand Master of the year 2007 at World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, said he is also willing to show Swindon councillors a move or two.

Dr Yuree, originally from Bangladesh, was in Swindon this weekend to train local martial artists to be instructors of his Combat Self Defense System.

The course was officially opened on Friday by former Swindon Mayor Coun Steve Wakefield.

Talking to the Adver at the Bangladeshi Community Centre in Gorse Hill, he stressed how combat skills could give troubled teens the discipline to get their lives back on track.

The system is said to be “an anti-terrorism and anti-crime movement to enable civilians to fight crime and terrorism worldwide” on its website.

Dr Yuree said: “Martial arts can give teenagers confidence and it can also teach them restraint. It teaches you to respect other people and to control your mind and body.

“It can change people’s lives and that’s what I want to do for young people in Swindon who are maybe not living in the right way.”

Dr Yuree said he had also been invited by Swindon Council’s Labour leader, Coun Derique Montaut, to give training sessions to councillors. He said: “I will be happy to demonstrate the benefits of martial arts to the councillors.”

Coun Montaut said: “I am hoping that I can use what Dr Yuree teaches me when I have some difficulties at the council. Maybe it will make full council meetings shorter.

“In all seriousness I am very honoured that Dr Yuree has come to Swindon and has given this course at the Bangladeshi Community Centre. He can be an inspiration to our young people.”

Dr Yuree’s Swindon-based uncle Mohammed Ali Talukdar said he was happy to welcome his nephew to Swindon.

He said: “I am very proud of him. He has achieved a lot and now he can share some of his knowledge.”

Coun Junab Ali, Swindon’s first Bangladeshi councillor, said he thought martial arts could help turn around young people’s lives.

He said: “When I studied martial arts I found it really helped and I think it would give young people a focus. We are very lucky that Dr Yuree is willing to help us like this.”

For more information on Dr Yuree and his techniques go to www.combat-selfdefense.com.