MUSCLE men have battled it out to be named the strongest men in the region.

Events at Meadowfield Leisure Centre, near Durham City, included a dead lift, truck pulling, an axe hold, log press and a tyre flip.

Chris Lonsdale, Durham County Council’s business development manager for health and fitness, said: “We were delighted to be hosting the first strongman contest of its kind in the county.”

The event had three categories – under 70kg, 70kg to 85kg and 85kg plus.