MUSCLE men will descend on Swindon in the hope of becoming England’s strongest man.

Spectators can watch for free as 18 beefcakes will be pushed to the limit at the Ironworx Gym in Greenbridge Road, Greenbridge.

Challenges include a deadlift, farmer’s walk, log lift, and Atlas stones. These will test raw strength and endurance at the event on Saturday, March 27.

This southern qualifier for the under 105kg category will see the top six contestants go through to the final in May.

One participant Rich Scott, who owns the Swindon gym, is looking forward to the challenge.

The 29-year-old from Old Walcot, who weighs 15 and-a-half stone, said: “It should make for an interesting day.

“People can come along and watch some great challenges. It’s going to be hard work, but a lot of fun.”

Six events are planned. The first will see three objects: a 80kg natural stone, 120kg duck walk and 130kg keg, carried and loaded into a van and then pulled 20 metres.

Another event sees how many 105kg log lifts competitors can perform in 75 seconds. This will be from the floor to over the head for each repetition.

The last challenge sees Atlas stones weighing 90kg, 110kg, 120kg, 130kg and 155kg put onto a platform. All these events will be head to head except for the medley and stones.

In August last year, 20 men from all over England and Wales took part in a strongman contest at the Ironworx gym.

Every contestant was expected to lift weights of up to 250kg during a range of events. The five-hour competition was split into two categories for novices and intermediates. Carlton Agambar, 30, from The Circle, Pinehurst, came third at the novice level.

Registration and weigh-in for this latest event is at 10am, with the challenges running from 11am to 4pm. The head referee is Paul Wood. If you think you’re strong enough to enter it costs £15.

For more information, contact Rich on 07533 103 835 or email richard@ironworxgym.co.uk or log onto www.ironworxgym.co.uk.