TWENTY-ONE stone postman Simon Morton is hoping to retain his title as the strongest man in the North-East.
He qualified for the final again by winning a heat in impressive style yesterday at a steam fair at Streatlam Park, Barnard Castle, County Durham.
Mr Morton, who lives in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, scored highly in all five sections -running with a 100kg log, carrying 350kg, holding a 120kg load in each hand, moving five barrels weighing from 90kg to 130kg and pulling an 11.5-tonne truck.
Others who qualified yesterday for the final, to be held at Streatlam Park in August, were Mark Lawson, of Darlington, Alistair Black, of West Cornforth, County Durham, and Dave Cowan, of Crook, County Durham.
Four who qualified for the final at the fair earlier in the weekend were Jonathan Graham, of Pelton, County Durham, Billy Little, of Wooler, Northumberland, Gary McElvie, of Darlington, and John Middleton, of York.
The event's promoter, haulage operator John Toulson, of Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, said: "All these fellows put on a marvellous display of strength."
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