UNARMED combat and searching for explosives will be just some of the skills taught at a new course for bodyguards in Swindon.

The 150-hour course will be taught by Duncan White, 47, who has been a bodyguard protecting business people from kidnap and assassination for ten years.

The Security Industry Authority has made it compulsory for all bodyguards to complete the course, which leads to a Core Competence Licence.

Duncan said: "Bodyguards are in high demand especially with the events abroad.

"I've just come back from Iraq where I was working with Americans who were restoring electricity there. We were under threat from drive-by shootings and improvised explosives.

"Kidnap for ransom is really big money nowadays especially in Eastern Europe, Africa and South America. It is one of the biggest industries in Columbia and it happens a lot abroad."

Contrary to popular belief bodyguards do not have to be big and beefy according to Duncan.

He said: "You don't want to be really big to be a bodyguard because that would make you stand out.

"You want to be someone who blends into a crowd and someone who has good skills of observation. It's also important to have a mature rather than a gung ho approach. And you must be able to operate over long periods."

The Core Competence Licence gives bodyguards the basic skills to do their work however it does not teach them to fire live ammunition you can only receive training for this abroad.

Duncan said: "We teach people protective escort, protective driving, communication skills and how to search for improvised explosive devices and electronic counter surveillance.

"They are also taught close quarter combat armed and unarmed and paramedicine."

And unlike in the Kevin Costner film The Bodyguard, bodyguards are not taught to take bullets to protect their client.

"It's no good taking the first bullet if the principal (client) gets the second one.

"The whole idea is preventing it from happening. We are anti terrorist not counter terrorist."

The course is expected to start on Monday May 9 and it will cost £3,000.

Participants can either take a three-week full time course or can do the course in three parts on a part-time basis.

Venue details have not yet been finalised.

To find out more about the course contact Swindon New College on 01793 611470.

Diana Milne