A 17-STONE police body-building champ has been suspended after allegedly assaulting two men in a midnight brawl while dressed as Superman.

Darlington traffic officer Neil Bell is away from work while an investigation is carried out.

Mr Bell was arrested by Cumbria Police after claims he had been involved in a fight with a group of men from Bishop Auckland while dressed as the famous caped crusader. The incident, which took place in Penrith, Cumbria, before Christmas, allegedly resulted in two men having to be treated in hospital.

A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that a 35-year-old man was arrested on December 20 on suspicion of assault in Penrith and has been released on police bail."

He will return to Penrith to answer bail on Saturday, February 7.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary confirmed yesterday that six-footer Mr Bell had been suspended from the force.

A spokesman said the action had been taken "pending the outcome of the investigation by Cumbria Constabulary into the incident in Penrith in the early hours of Saturday, December 20".

The police officer, who lives in County Durham, has been a body builder for several years.

His impressive physique has won numerous strongman competitions.

Mr Bell has previously flexed his muscles to impress judges of body-building competitions.

His successes include winning an award in his class at a World Amateur Body Building Association competition.