Boys' fighting event in Preston condemned by BMA

The organiser of the event in Preston said it didn't breach any rules and insists children's safety wasn't compromised.

Video footage showing two eight-year-old boys fighting at a Lancashire Labour club has been condemned by the British Medical Association (BMA).

The film, shot at Greenlands Labour Club in Preston, shows the boys wrestling with each other on the floor in front of an audience of adults.
Club manager Michelle Anderson said they worked closely with police and the boys "loved it" and were not in danger.
The boys taking part are seen trying to pin each other down.
The father of one of them, Nick Hartley, said his son was not at risk of harm.
He said: "He loves the sport. It's not one bit dangerous, it's a controlled sport. He likes to do it, he's never forced to do it, he wants to do it, so leave him to do it."
'Amateur bouts' He added: "He'll never get hurt, it's a controlled sport he could never get hurt.
"Until he gets a bit older and he starts doing physical contact, kicking and punching, then maybe, but at his age it's wrestling, like a grappling."
A BMA spokesman said sports such as boxing and cage-fighting were "sometimes defended on the grounds that children learn to work through their aggression with discipline and control".
But it said many other sports such as athletics, swimming, judo and football "require discipline but do not pose the same threat of brain injury".

Nick Hartley said it was "not one bit dangerous"

Ms Anderson said people who criticised it were not aware of the facts.
She said: "The children loved it, the kids who were involved in the fight on the night absolutely loved it.
"We work very closely with Preston police and the licensing department and they were happy for us to go ahead with this.
"It's just people who know nothing about the sport who want to contribute."
Promoter of the event, Marcus Holt, said: "There are no kicks, there are no punches, so there's no need for things like head guards and other wear like that.
"With the children, it's all amateur bouts, it's all demonstration grappling submissions."
Chris Cloke, head of child protection awareness at the NSPCC, said: "We would strongly discourage parents from letting their children take part in this kind of fighting.
"It's quite disturbing that some of those involved in the bouts were as young as eight, an age when they are still developing, physically and mentally.
"The organisers of these activities should think very carefully before allowing children to be involved when they are egged on to inflict violenc