A fencing tournament will be held at Wellington school next month, with the public welcome to spectate.

The Wellington Open Tournament will take place over the weekend of April 1 and April 2, and will be hosted in Wellington School's sports complex.

The competition is open to fencers with some experience from the age of 13 years old, with no upper age limit. The oldest entrant to the tournament is 85 years of age.

Jane Brown, a club coach said: “The beauty of fencing is that although older fencers are slower on the feet, the more experienced has an advantage over the more impetuous youth.”

“It is about outwitting and outmanoeuvring the opponent so power and height do not necessarily give an advantage.”

On Saturday competitors will do battle with epee sword and on Sunday the foil and sabre will be drawn. Both men and women will compete at the event, with the bouts set to commence from 1.30 pm on Saturday and 10.30 am on Sunday.

Refreshments will be available on-site and members of the public will be able to watch the duels free of charge.