A DARLINGTON bodybuilder has won the right to compete for the Mr Universe title.

Paul Hildreth, 41, won the Mr Britain Over 40s Trophy, which allows him to enter the NABBA Mr Universe competition later this year, at the weekend.

Mr Universe will take place in Birmingham in October.

On the same weekend he became Mr Northern Counties which qualifies him for the IBFA World Championships to be held in Rome, Italy, also in October.

Mr Hildreth, who trains at Grant’s Gym in Darlington, last competed for the Mr Universe title more than 20 years, before taking a break from the sport in 2004.

He said: “It’s a tremendous honour to win Mr Britain.

“It’s taken me 25 years to get to the top spot and I’m absolutely thrilled.”

Mr Hildreth won the Mr County Durham and Northern Counties Area Champion at an event at he Dolphin Centre in Darlington earlier this year.

“I love bodybuilding and I’m confident I get right to the top this time - body builders don’t reach their peak until they are 40,” he added.

Mr Hildreth works as a lorry driver for Aldi.