PRISON officer Jim Nangle hopes to prove he's an awesome oarsmen, at least on dry land, in international competition next week.

The 52-year-old Scotsman, who works at Durham Jail, is part of the England and Wales Prison Service contingent taking part in the World Police and Fire Service Games, in Barcelona, Spain.

He is representing the British team in the static rowing competition on the internationally-recognised C2000 ergometer.

Jim has developed an expertise on the machine while working out in the prison officers' gym alongside the jail, in Whinney Hill.

When he logged his times on the C2000 web site he discovered he was among the best in the world.

In preparation for the world games, to be staged in venues used for the Barcelona Olympics of 1992, Jim has worked hard to improve his stamina and is now putting the finishing touches to his preparation in the gym.

"I don't really know exactly how strong the competition will be, but what I do know is that I'm among the best two, three or four, based on the times entered on the web site.

"What I don't know is if there's an ex-Olympic rower who's now a policeman somewhere, who maybe hasn't logged his times on the web site.

"All I can do is to beat the current record and then, who knows?"

Jim, who will be backed by his wife Lyn in Barcelona, is taking part in the 2,000 metres singles, as well as the 1,000 metres men's and mixed doubles events, with, as yet, unknown partners.

He leaves this Friday for the competition, which begins next Tuesday in the Catalan capital.