WEIGHT is pub singer Gemma Taylor's forte. As the UK's strongest woman, it is officially what she tackles best.

Ms Taylor, 20, of Bagby, Thirsk, beat off opposition from seasoned competitors at Kesh, Northern Ireland, at the weekend to take the UK title and the Queen Maeve Trophy.

A pub singer, she originally took up training in order to lose weight, and only started taking part in contests in January.

Now weight - of the muscular kind - is her strength in competitions.

Ms Taylor trains with ex-world champion, Paul Stephenson, of York. Eddy Ellwood, of Hartlepool, five times Mr Universe, is her coach and events organiser.

To win the title, she had several tasks to complete in a required time which included to carrying some very heavy weights - an 82 kilo steel crucifix, a farmer's walk carrying 72 kilos in each hand, lift a huge log above her head and carry a yoke-type bar across her back with weights hanging from either end.

She said: "Many people at the contest were shocked that I did so well. It's all down to Paul's support and we are now setting my sights on the world title," she said.

Ms Taylor also has a powerful singing voice and is a well-known performer in pubs around the country.

"I am lucky in that, as I sing in pubs at night, I am free to train everyday at the gym," she added.