GUMSHIELD? Check. Helmet? Check. Pads? Check. Welcome to the tough and tumble world of roller derby, a sport not for the faint hearted.

Get your skates ready because the Brighton Rockers are rolling back into town for the start of the new season with a game against Toulouse in Haywards Heath on February 24.

Eight years since they formed in the Lion and Lobster pub where Brighton meets Hove, The Rockers are hoping to make the jump into the top 50 teams in Europe.

Founding member Sophie Eliades, 33, AKA “Hairy Fairy”, said: “Come and watch a game. It’s so hard to describe but once you come to see it, the atmosphere is electric.

“There is just such a special feeling about it. It’s a real thrill.”

The hyper-competitive and crazily colourful world of roller derby is taking Europe by storm and has rapidly become one of the most popular women’s sports in the world.

The Rockers finished last season with seven wins in a row and their second team, The Rockabillies, will also be in action on the 24th against a challenge squad called Team Dragon.

Rockabillies captain Sarah Gilbert, 29, AKA “Slapdash”, said that after her first game, she fell in love.

“When I first heard about roller derby it sounded really scary. My friend came in covered in bruises and told all these brutal stories,” she said.

“However, I decided to give it a go and I just fell in love with it. It is all so new, I just couldn’t believe how cool this sport was.”

Rolling away with a few knocks is a pretty common occurrence in this full- contact sport.

“You can get some pretty amazing bruises,” says Ms Eliades, “When you fall and land on your skates, those are always the best ones.”

Most players in the sport operate under comedic pseudonyms or derby names such as Skate Bush or Shortstack O’Paincakes.

“If you come to the game, keep your eyes on Kapow,” says Ms Eliades “She is always getting stronger and faster.

“You’ll see her put some real fight in.”

If you think you can keep up with the fast-paced world of roller derby, The Brighton Rockers and Rockabillies will be playing at the Dolphin centre in Haywards Heath at 2pm on February 24.