BOLTON’S popular Strongman competition returns this summer – at a different venue and bigger and better than ever.

The sixth event, which wowed the crowds in Victoria Square since 2010, becomes XL Expo and moves to the USN Bolton Arena at Middlebrook, Horwich, on Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26.

“It’s simply outgrown its original site and at the Arena we can do so much more,” explained organiser Andy Seddon. “This year, it’s all about fitness, strength and sports, still keeping it an inspirational, exciting and enjoyable event.”

The 39 year-old Boltonian, who has been involved in fitness since he was a youngster, is delighted with the event’s success. “It has virtually doubled each year,” he said. “This year there will be 80 men and women taking part, with visitor challenges for people to try as well.”

The amateur event, one of the biggest in the country, is sponsored by sports’ nutrition company USN and Bolton firm Cole Security Services. It will still incorporate the strength competitions involving pulling and pushing vehicles, presses, lifting overhead logs and dead-weights.

But it will also include demonstrations of sporting activities like crossfit, boxing and Insanity workouts which the public can try. There will be fitness industry stalls and USN will bring its own team of top athletes.

Celebrities present include World’s Strongest Man regular contestant Mark Felix, and Britain’s Strongest Man, Eddie “The Beast” Hall who recently set a new world record by lifting a whopping 462kg (72.7 stones).

The contestants, who come from all over the UK, compete in three categories, facing four different challenges.

There will be events inside the huge main hall and outside. Tickets - at £5 for under-12s, £7.50 for a day pass and £10 for the full weekend - are on sale via website www.xlexpo.co.uk with more than 600 already gone.

“I’m delighted the Expo is at the Arena,” added Andy. “It’s a great event for Bolton – it gets people motivated and active.” And Arena commercial manager Gwyn Hughes said they were “really pleased” at this decision, adding “We’re looking to help make it a great success.”