A parliamentary candidate is offering free self-defence classes to his rivals after counter-terrorism police offered prospective MPs security advice.

Keen boxer Ed Targett, who is contesting the North Thanet seat for the Green Party, has offered boxing or ju-jitsu lessons to opposing parties.

It comes as parliamentary candidates across the country received a security guidebook following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox last year.

Dad-of-three Mr Targett said: "I want to draw attention to the threats parliamentary candidates receive and the need to keep political debate civil.

"If any of my rivals would like free boxing or ju-jitsu lessons I’ll happily sponsor them to come and train at my local club in Margate.

"I’d barely announced my campaign before I had abusive comments rolling in on Facebook - I can imagine the other candidates get it a lot worse."

The 34-year-old regularly takes part in local boxing shows and has raised money for Kent Air Ambulance and The Soldier’s Charity.

The security guidebook, which offers 14 pages of advice, was sent by counter terrorism police.

In it Met Police’s deputy assistant commissioner Lucy D’Orsi warns: "The UK threat level remains at severe, meaning an attack is highly likely."

Mr Targett added: "I was taken aback to get posted a guide to personal safety from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office last week.

"It took a moment to click why I’d received it. I only realised when I saw my nomination papers underneath confirming me as a parliamentary candidate.

"Nobody deserves to feel threatened for getting out and exercising their democratic right."