STRONGMAN Alastair Black is beefing up in a bid to lift some major titles this year.
The 23-year-old, from West Cornforth, is in training for the northern regional qualifier of the UK's Strongest Man Competition in Hartlepool on April 30.
And to help fuel his body in preparation, he has secured the sponsorship of butchers' H Coates and Son, whose Coxhoe shop gives him about £70 worth of meat every week to help build his muscle.
Mr Black, who works for the family-run firm of Black's Health Food Centres, took part in his first contest in 2003, finishing runner-up in a qualifying round for the North-East's Strongest Man Competition, and sixth in the final at Barnard Castle.
He was also fifth in Teesside's Strongest Man Competition and performed on the national stage in the British Isles Novice Strong Man event.
He said: "I'm gaining valuable experience every time I participate in competitions.
"The peak age for strongmen is around 29 or 30, so there is plenty of time for improvement."
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