A GRANDFATHER is hoping to become the oldest ever cage fighting champion as he prepares to take on men half his age in the brutal sport.

Alan Mortlock, 55, has been training at a gym in Loughton for his first cage fighting match at the end of the month.

He said he wanted to take part in the fight, which combines martial arts, kick boxing and bare-knuckle fighting and takes place inside a giant metal cage, as a challenge.

“Age is just a number to me,” he said. “I think it's the ultimate test for me. I have trained and trained for the past 18 months and I've lost two stone since I started and six inches off my waist.”

The grandfather-of-five believes he is the oldest man to enter a cage fight, as do his training partners at Team Thompson Gym in Langsdon Road.

“The guy I'm fighting first will be 27, but I'm confident,” he added.“I've been doing sparring with some good boxers and my trainers have given me the green light.

“I'm also a born-again Christian and I don't think I'd be able to do the training without the power of God.

“I've done martial arts before, but I've never competed, so that's why I'm doing this now.”

He will have a crowd of about 160 supporters travelling to the fight in Brentwood with him, including his grandchildren and four sons.

“They're all with me and they're backing me up,” he added.

The fight will take place on October 30 from 5.30pm at The Brentwood Centre in Doddinghurst Road. Tickets are available on the door.