THE North’s best male strength athletes could be upstaged by a woman when she attempts to set a new world record during their competition this weekend.

Britain’s strongest woman Donna Moore will put her power to the ultimate test during the interval of the North of England Strongman contest which will be held in Spennymoor, County Durham, on Saturday, May 7.

The mother-of-two, from Colburn, near Catterick, North Yorkshire, will take one of the most famous strongman events- the atlas stone.

She aims to smash the current 140kg record, held by an Austrian competitor, by lifting a 148kg ball on top of a 110cm platform.

Organiser Mark Lawson, who lives at Piercebridge, near Darlington, said the day is a chance for the region’s top power lifters to win a place on the national stage and for fans to see some incredible feats including Ms Moore’s record bid.

The event is a qualifier for England’s Strongest Man, with four places available, and ultimately puts them in with a shot at the UK contest.

He said: “Donna’s just won the Arnold Classic Strongwoman so is essentially the world’s strongest woman so I’d love for her to break the record on the day.

“Along with supporting her, spectators will see 18 of the North’s best strength athletes put to the test.”

The competition will feature six events - including the farmer’s walk, a car lift and a medley when the men will need all their brute force and stamina to run up and down a track carrying objects such as sandbags and beer barrels.

World Strongman stars Glenn ‘The Daddy’ Ross and Graham 'Hixxy' Hicks will referee and competitors will include the UK’s strongest novice Jeff Blakey, from Newton Aycliffe, and reigning junior champion Paul Smith.

Mr Lawson added: “All the competitors are local to the North so spectators can cheer them on, could witness a world record and it will be a fun family day.

“The events test stamina, brute strength and explosive power, I don’t really expect anyone to finish the last one except maybe the winner.”

The event will be held at JP Fitness, on Merrington Lane, Spennymoor, from noon on Saturday and admission is £3.