BATTLING robots are coming back – and this time they want to rumble.Tickets for a new Robot Wars-style extravaganza in Debenham are due to go on sale on Friday this week.

BATTLING robots are coming back – and this time they want to rumble.

Tickets for a new Robot Wars-style extravaganza in Debenham are due to go on sale on Friday this week.

Head-to-head clashes between robots - made famous by the TV cult series, Robot Wars - descended on Debenham for the very first Debenham Easter Robot Rumble last year. It was a complete sell-out so this year the event will stretch over three days from March 30 to April 1.

There will be six separate audience sessions between 10am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 6pm

In a 24 foot square, purpose built arena, there will be knock-out competitions for over 30 Robots every day.

Some of these will have appeared on TV, others will be hoping to, said organiser Eddy Alcock.

"But unlike the TV series, we have no House Robots, no Pit of Oblivion and no Flame Throwers," he said. "But you will see purist Robot Battles, where the Roboteers are not distracted by these external forces, but are at liberty to concentrate their energies entirely on their opponents as they seek to win themselves a place in the next round of the competition."

This year, as in Robot Wars, the audience will be screened for their safety by hi-tech barrier of "Macrilon", the bullet proof, transparent polycarbonate used in the TV series to ensure that no member of the audience can become the victim of unintentional shrapnel, he added.

Fights ending with no clear cut winner are determined by a Panel of Judges. This year, the Chairman of the Panel will be Alan Gribble, the creator of the well known TV Robot, Pussycat.

During the weekend, the organisers have been promised the appearance of Razer, the reigning World Champion, Chaos2, the reigning British Champion and many other household names, including, Tornado, Stinger, Bigger Brother, Dominator2, the mighty Behemoth, The Steel Avenger and a come back by the King of Roboteers, Rex Garrod with his new creation, Cassius3.

Tickets range from £5.00 for babies to £15.00 for the adults and go on sale on Friday, February 1, at the Debenham Leisure Centre Box Office. There is a dedicated telephone line for ticket bookings (cash/cheque/credit card) at 01728 860579 and this will be operational from 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm each day.

Tiered Seating costs £15.00 adult, £10.00 child (under 16); standing on Balcony £10.00 adult & child (minimum height 5'-0") and sitting on gym mats/gym benches for under 10 year olds at £5.00 each.

Before phoning people are asked to determine which of the 6 sessions you wish to attend and what tickets you wish to order. Additional information from Eddy Alcock on 01394 613021 during office hours only.