FITNESS fan Michael Simpson has qualified for the finals of a national competition for the second consecutive year.

The personal trainer, from Trimdon Colliery, is hoping to improve his ranking when he competes in this year's X-Zone Challenge.

Thousands of people from around the country take part in the qualifying rounds of the competition, but only 100 make it to the finals.

Each individual has to test himself or herself on a series of fitness machines against the clock.

Mr Simpson, who trains at the Lifestyle Fitness Suite, at Ferryhill Leisure Centre, clocked up a time of 22min 54 sec - almost a full two minutes better than last year - to make it to the last 100 for the second time.

He is preparing for the national finals at RAF Cosford, in Shropshire, next weekend.

Mr Simpson finished 21st in the country last year.

This year he is hoping to make it into the top 11, which will earn him a place in the grand final next Sunday.

He said: "I am really confident, because the equipment they are using is different from last year."

Mr Simpson has been sponsored during the competition. This year he hopes to raise £550 for the Cancer Research Campaign and Macmillan Cancer Trust Fund.