STRONGMAN Eddie Ellwood has set his sights on world glory after becoming England's best.

The 39-year-old is flying to Zambia in September for the World's Strongest Man competition.

The Hartlepool gym owner goes into the event in fine form after an amazing performance in Canada.

Former Mr Universe Ellwood was part of a six-strong UK squad that took on others from the US, Canada, the Baltics, Europe and a Viking team, in Winnipeg.

The UK team triumphed, and Ellwood was the individual winner after clocking up a first and second in two of his events, and picking up points in all the others.

His win was secured despite an Achilles injury that hampered his preparation.

"I was ten points ahead of my nearest rival in the best athlete category," he said. "It has given me a real boost for the World's in Zambia.

"I didn't expect to do so well against some world-class athletes, so it's really pleasing.

"We thought we had a good enough team to win the overall event but my individual success was a bonus because I have just come back from injury and was nursing that a bit."

The World's Strongest Man starts on September 20 and includes 30 competitors split into six heats.

The ten best will take part in the final which will be screened around Christmas.

Ellwood said: "I don't expect to do so well at world level, but I hope to make the top ten, which means reaching the final.

"It's only a year and a half since I finished bodybuilding, so I have had to make a transition that not many people find easy."