VISTING VIPS need not worry when they come to Warrington in the future.

That's because there could soon be a fully trained fleet of bodyguards, or close protection officers as they are now called, pacing the streets ready and willing to throw themselves in the line of fire.

Priestley Training, a subsidiary of Priestley College, has launched a new course for those wanting to gain their close protection licence - the top security industry licence available.

And with only 2,200 people in the country currently in possession of the legally required qualification, those who are able to secure them are in high demand for a wide range of services.

This includes corporate protection, looking after celebrities and even providing protection for people such as contractors working in war-torn countries like Iraq.

But for those thinking about a change of career, before you can get on this course you already need a background in the security industry and have to have an interview before you are allowed to sign up.

Once you are on it though, you will be put through your paces with 150 hours of theory before taking part in two live examinations.

These are carried out over a 48-hour period and one sees you having to pick up your client from Manchester Airport and accompany them back to Warrington and you also take part in a hotel-based scenario where you are guarding your client while in the building.

The live exercises test your driving skills, surveillance, searching and securing an area and tactical awareness among many other things.

But while it might sound exciting it's certainly not easy.

Course leader, Lance, whose surname we can't reveal because of the nature of his job, said: "It is a lot of information to be taking in and the exam is a pass or a fail.

"Once you have got this licence though, you can work in a full range of the security industry."

And you can expect to be paid well for your work. A close protection officer can earn from £230 - £300 a day (that figure shoots up for women who are in high demand).

But Lance adds: "It is a very dangerous job, you are a shield for the client."

To find out more about the course contact Priestley training on 634448 or go online at www.priestleytraining.co.uk hcartwright@guardiangrp.co.uk