STRONGMAN pensioner Pat McCarthy proved he is still in good shape, when he flexed his muscles at a bodybuilders’ reunion.

Mr McCarthy, aged 70, pictured above, whipped off his shirt to strike a pose in front of his old training pals — the Cellar Lads – who are now pensioners but used to lift weights together in the 1950s.

Yesterday, more than 30 of them met up for their tenth annual reunion at the Watermillock pub in Crompton Way.

They used to train in the cellar of friend Tom Templey’s house, in St George’s Road, Bolton.

Mr McCarthy, from Smithills, used to appear at Adonis events all over Europe and he was something of a local celebrity in Bolton.

He said: “I don’t look quite the same any more but it has been great to meet up with the old gang.

“We see each other every year — we’re all a little bit older now but there’s still a great spirit here among us.”

The muscle men also brought along some old snaps to compare how their bodies had stood the test of time.

Former weightlifter Frank Fletcher, aged 83, has been organising the reunion since Mr Templey died eight years ago.

He said: “These blokes are real men — there are too many steroids being used in body building nowadays.

“These guys were some of the best in the world. It’s been wonderful meeting up with everyone again.”

Bolton’s six-time featherweight British wrestling champion, Albert Aspin, aged 74, said: “It’s been great catching up with the guys. I used to train with them back in the day and we were all comrades together. It’s good to see that Pat’s still got it.”

Pete McDermott, a former bodyguard and Coronation Street extra, was a British heavyweight weightlifting record holder.

Mr McDermott, aged 68, from Bromley Cross, said: “What a brilliant event this is. All credit to Frank — he does a great job because it’s not easy getting us all together.”

The Cellar Lads made a special presentation to Mr Fletcher to recognise his hard work in organising the reunion every year.

Do you remember the Cellar Lads?

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