A BODYBUILDER is looking forward to the chance to match himself against the world's top musclemen in this year's Mr Universe competition.

Paul Hildreth, from Darlington, is thought to be the first person from the town to compete in the contest, which boasts action movie hero Arnold Schwarzenegger among its previous winners.

The 26-year-old is in training six days a week at the Classic World of Fitness, in Darlington, run by another former Mr Universe, Martin Yates-Brown, from Middleton St George.

Paul, a former Branksome Comprehensive School pupil, is unemployed.

He took up bodybuilding eight years ago and won his place in the Mr Universe contest by finishing fifth in the Mr Britain competition earlier this year.

His other achievements to date include a second place in Britain as an under-21 competitor and a seventh place in the World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1996.

He was also second in Mr North Britain this year.

"I was just really thin at school, so I started lifting a few weights and went from there," said Paul, who lives in John Dixon Lane.

Now he is eager to compete in the contest, which is being held at Newcastle City Hall, on October 6.

"I didn't expect to do it this year. It is like the Olympics of bodybuilding," he said.