Christmas shoppers in Nelson have been given a lesson in self-defence.

Police community support officer Eamon Kilbride came up with the idea of teaching people a few smart moves to protect themselves, their presents money and gifts.

He put his plan into action with colleague PC Carl Richards and the pair, who cover Walverden and Cloverhill, invited a self-defence instructor to join them at Walverden community safety day at the United Reformed Church, Brunswick Street, yesterday.

PCSO Kilbride said: "With Christmas looming large, people tend to wander round with a lot more cash than they would normally to buy Christmas presents.

"We showed the ladies one or two moves like how to get out of a stranglehold from behind either by an elbow in the ribs or shoe down the shin. A lot of it is common sense really."

As well as defence lessons, police and the crime prevention team offered advice and listened to residents' concerns.

PCSO Kilbride hopes his idea of teaching people how to protect themselves on dark winter nights will catch on and sessions will be held in other areas of Pendle.

He said people should keep their wits about them while looking in shop windowsand added: "When people are rushing round at Christmas time they've got their minds on other things than personal safety. Not all robbers where striped jumpers and black masks.

"People need to be aware of their surroundings and alert if they are carrying extra money around.

"Don't carry it all in your handbag or wallet. Put some in one pocket and some in the other.

"Don't leave presents on view in cars. People often put them on the back seat, go off to collect some more things and come back to find the window's been smashed and their presents gone.

"They're little, common sense things but they make a difference."