AN IRON man is laying down the gauntlet to the region's strongest men and women.

Graham Whalley is appealing for musclemen and fitness fanatics to take part in a series of fundraising challenges over the Easter weekend.

The father-of-three has organised a bench press challenge in the Louisa Centre, Stanley, County Durham. There will also be a speed challenge, with entrants bench pressing 100 kilograms for 15 minutes.

Mr Whalley, 41, of Catchgate, near Stanley, took up body building and fitness sports to raise cash for charity after his wife, Helen Jayne Whalley, died of brain cancer in February 1999.

He had arranged an international contest in her memory, dubbed World Superstars, that was due to take place in the Louisa Centre in Stanley in May 2002.

But the event was called off only weeks before the competitors were due to arrive, after he had an accident that left him paralysed.

After several operations and a long rehabilitation programme, Mr Whalley is hoping to make the event happen next year.

"I cannot take part because of my injury, so I will be taking the role of organiser," he said.

Meanwhile, he hopes the Easter event will raise cash to fund a trip to the US, where he plans to recruit world record breakers for next year's event.

"Bringing them all together in the North-East would be great for them, great for the region and we could raise thousands of pounds for cancer care," he said.

Entry in the Easter challenge is £10 and there will be cash prizes. Anyone interested in taking part in the challenge is asked contact Mr Whalley on 07732 842283.