Like many others, he suffered years of bullying when he was going through school and knows how damaging it can be.

North Norfolk News: Nate Gregory, front, teaches martial arts as part of his business, Nate Gregory Martial Arts. Picture: Courtesy of Nate GregoryNate Gregory, front, teaches martial arts as part of his business, Nate Gregory Martial Arts. Picture: Courtesy of Nate Gregory (Image: Archant)

And this experience prompted Cromer's Nate Gregory to take up martial arts and learn how to defend himself.

What the 25-year-old got back, he said, was: '10 times more than he could have imagined.'

Mr Gregory said: 'It gave me confidence, self-belief and self-control - the three key things that constant bullying will take away from a person.'

Now Mr Gregory has teamed up with an international group called Martial Artists Against Bullying (MAAB) to create a workshop for eight to 18-year-olds called 'Done with Bullying', which he is offering for free to schools, groups and individuals across the region.

Mr Gregory, who set up Nate Gregory Martial Arts (NGMA) three years ago, said bullying was a huge problem that he wanted to help tackle.

He said: 'Since working with so many young people and being so attached to them, hearing their stories about typical school bullies and difficult situations they have been in truly broke my heart. So the way I see it, if I can help I am going to give it a good go.'

Mr Gregory said bullying seemed to be even more pervasive now than when he was growing up.

He said: 'The problem is the victims have no escape - or so it seems - with social media being such a large part of every young person's life nowadays.

'Back in the days I was at school the bullying would end when I got into the comfort of my own home now anybody regardless of age can find themselves victim to cyber-bullying and online trolls.'

Mr Gregory said the workshops had five sections; What is bullying and why do people do it, what we should and shouldn't do when we see others being bullied, how should you deal with bullying, buddying, and self-defence.

Mr Gregory said the workshops were not-for-profit.

The first workshops will take place on February 10 at Cromer's Merchants' and at Overstrand Hall on February 25.

Mr Gregory said he wanted to thank the venues and asked if there were any others that could host a workshop to get in touch.

For more information or to sign up to one of the workshops, visit the Facebook page NGMA Against Bullying or call 07921 588094.