A MAN who claims to have won the Mr Universe title more times than movie strongman Arnold Schwarzenegger is hoping to muscle in on another world title.

Hartlepool father-of-two Eddie Ellwood is competing this weekend in the regional finals of a competition to find the world's strongest man.

If successful, the 38-year-old will go forward to the all-Britain finals.

The gymnasium owner's ambition is just to reach the international finals, which draw television audiences from around the globe.

"I have won Mr Universe five consecutive years - more times than Arnold Schwarz-enegger," said Mr Ellwood.

"My last one was in 2001. I decided I was too young to retire. I like to keep myself challenged and decided to go on to the strongman scene."

However, disaster struck after the security firm boss got through to the British finals - only to tear a bicep.

Happily, the muscle has mended and he will be one of 30 contenders at the Northern area finals at Stanley, County Durham. Among the challengers a man who is a national finalist.

Mr Ellwood was body building for 19 years, an interest he took up during seven years as a light heavyweight boxer.

"Because there were not many light heavyweights around, I was having to fight heavyweights, so took up weight training to take them on,'' he said