STRONGMAN Shane Burns was left heartbroken after he injured his knee when he was within touching distance of qualifying for a European tournament.

The 33-year-old Breightmet man, known as The Groominator, collapsed during the car squat at the UK’s Strongest Man Under-105kg in Folkestone on Sunday.

He was taken to hospital where they discovered a tear in his cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Mr Burns, who won Strongman Bolton 2017, said he felt his knee go during his 13th repetition in the car squat.

He said: “When it went I just heard a bit of a rip and collapsed to the floor. The wraps protect my knees but as soon as I released the wraps, that is when the pain started, it was quite strong at first.

“It was a shame because I had a chance to qualify for the Euros. The competition was tough so I’m not sure I would have got on the podium but I definitely could have finished in the top five.”

Mr Burns had placed third in a couple of events and by the time he got to the car squat, the fifth and penultimate event, he said he was around fifth or sixth place.

In order to qualify for the European championships, he would have have finished in the top five.

But he could not compete in the sixth and last event because of his injury and now he is going through a frustrating recovery.

However, he is determined to be ready to compete again by September.

He said: “The knee is not doing too badly now, I have had some treatment and I can move it but I think it is going to take me a few weeks before I can get it stronger.

“At the moment I’m going to focus on training my upper body and stay away from training my legs for a while.

“There is a competition in September in the under-105kg category so I am aiming to get myself ready for that.”

The UK event, one of the most illustrious in the country, was a huge challenge for Mr Burns, who only entered his first strongman competition six years ago.

Despite the heart-breaking ending, Mr Burns said the tournament at the weekend was one of the best UK competitions he has done.

He added: “The crowd was unbelievable and the atmosphere was brilliant.

“Everybody was really supportive when I was injured so it was a bit emotional.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone for their support, I have had an amazing response. I will be back.”

Mr Burns’ victory in the Bolton Strongest Man 2017 competition earlier this month was the third time he had taken the title.

Mr Burns was first encouraged enter Bolton Strongman in 2011, when it took place in Farnworth.

He is known as The Groominator because of his work as a mobile dog groomer, when he is not pulling sacks or lifting cars.

The job involves heading out and around making sure that people's dogs are looking their best.