MUSCLEMAN Mr Eddie Edwards of Carlton Miniott returned triumphant from Italy this week after winning one of the world's most prestigious bodybuilding titles.

Mr Edwards, aged 55, who runs Eddies' Gym in Romanby Road, Northallerton, won the world natural bodybuilding championships in Sardinia. The father of two first won the title in Paris in 1999 but could not compete last year due to injury.

The contest celebrates bodybuilding through natural muscle growth rather than pumped-up bodies. "Building your body in a natural way gives you something that other bodybuilders haven't got," he said.

"I have seen blokes blow up like balloons, but they deflate just as fast. A natural bodybuilder looks like a normal person until he strips off. It is about definition - it is quality, not quantity."

Mr Edwards beat off stiff competition from entrants from France, America, Canada, Belgium, Turkey and Greece to win the title.

He came out on top against some much younger opposition. "My secret is eating healthily, looking after myself, training hard and basically not abusing my body," he said.

"It comes from dedication - I put my heart and soul into it. I am a great believer in the idea that if you focus on something, you can achieve it. I still relax and chill out but when I train, I really train hard.

"People keep asking me when I am going to retire, but at the end of the day it is how you feel and I am feeling good."