A PAIR of musclemen had two reasons to celebrate at the weekend.

The pair, who have never met, both achieved world press-ups records within 24 hours of each other.

Graham Whalley, of South Moor, County Durham, took a world record by completing 1,047 press-ups in 15 minutes - more than 70 every minute.

Meanwhile, his contemporary Kevin Jefferson, from Stanley, managed to complete 1,180 press-ups in an hour - every one of them on the back of his hands. He smashed the previous world record by more than 500.

Both must now wait for evidence of their feats to be assessed by the Guinness Book of Records for their achievements to be officially recorded.

Father-of-two Mr Jefferson, 38, raised more than £200 for children's cancer relief at his successful attempt at Gary McCrory's boxing gym at Catchgate, near Annfield Plain, on Saturday.

He said: "It was hard work. It took me eight months to get fit enough to do it."

Mr Whalley, a father-of-three, beat his target record by 46 press-ups at Stanley Louisa Centre, in front of 50 supporters on Sunday.

Now the full-time keep fit fanatic is looking for sponsors to help him achieve even more.

Mr Whalley took up body building and fitness sports partly as a way of raising money for charity to pay tribute to his wife, Helen, who died of brain cancer.

He can be contacted on 07960 924077.