A KIDDERMINSTER teac-her will be swapping the classroom for a wrestling ring when he competes to become a tag champion next month.

Chris Barth, of George Street, who works at Wolverley High School and has been wrestling for five years, will be stepping into the spotlight at the River Severn Wrestling Show.

The business and IT teacher, who becomes Chris Cage when he enters the ring, said parents usually gave him a "look of surprise" when they discovered he was a wrestler, adding: "I don't look like a typical wrestler - I am not huge and muscly. The kids like the fact that I do it. They come along and watch the shows."

Chris, who said the only similarity between his job and his hobby were that "you have to raise your voice sometimes", will be competing in the River Severn Wrestling show in Kidderminster next month.

Describing himself as a "show-off" Chris said he liked "playing to the audience" and had great fun in the wrestling ring, entertaining the crowds.

Chris added: "I have been a fan since I was 12. I've been wrestling for five years. I was asked if I was interested in starting so I went along and did a couple of training sessions in Worcester and was trained by Jonny the Body."

The 26-year-old, who trains once a week and competes twice a month, has held titles including Midlands Champion, UK Champion and Tag Champion.

He said he was looking forward to his "home town show", adding: "My friends really enjoy it and they all come along and watch. I've got a posse that follows me. My family enjoys it but they are always concerned that I am going to break my neck or something else, which has happened. I broke my neck in 2003 and my coccyx in 2001."

His injuries did not deter him from continuing, he said: " I recuperated after each injury and I got back to it."

At the River Severn Wrestling show he will be taking part in the evening's main event, the Wales versus England tag team match and will be joined by his tag partner, Kade Callous.

It will take place on Saturday, February 4 at St George's Social Club, Kidderminster. Doors open at 6.45pm and admission is payable on the door.