Muscle men do battle for top honour

Musclebound men from all over the country flexed their biceps at Lichfield Rugby Club in the search for England's Strongest Man.

Nearly 2,000 people turned out for the final at Lichfield Rugby Club yesterday to watch as the strongmen went head to head in a series of mind boggling tasks, from lifting a transit van to pulling a truck using only a rope.

Laurence Shahlaei, from Gloucester, took the crown at the club yesterday, although he faced tough competition in the shape of Staffordshire strongman Dave Meer.

Mr Meer, who is from Tamworth, eventually took fourth place in the contest.