THE man with the hardest hands in the world is coming to the region later this month.

French martial arts expert Jean Yves Mulot, who is in the Guinness Book of World Records for breaking concrete blocks with his bare hands, is appearing at the World Ju-Jitsu Federation Congress.

More than 1,000 leading exponents of the discipline will attend the conference, which is taking place at Temple Park Centre, South Shields, South Tyneside, on Saturday, October 16.

The event marks the 30th anniversary of an alliance between senior figures in Italy and England, which led to the foundation of the federation.

The federation's technical director, Robert Clark, said: "We are very proud to stage this event here in South Tyneside.

"This event has grown over the years and we are delighted to be celebrating our special anniversary here."

For further information about the congress, contact 0151-523 9611.