A BOLTON power-lifter is working hard in the final few weeks to get ready for the North West Championships.

Horwich's Joe Bulloch will doing body building in anticipation of the event as he will need to lose 3kg to reach his weight category.

The 43-year-old GB star said: "The North West competition is the last big event of the year but your performance can set you up for the next.

"You can see how far you have come and whether all your hard work in training has been worth it.

"It is an indicator of what you must improve for the competitions next year.

"It is great to get back under the lights on the stage and your adrenalin is going again.

"I find it is a good chance to catch up with a lot of people."

Bulloch will be joined by his Adlington Barbell Club team-mates Peter Ratcliffe and Aaron Lohan who are also from Bolton at the event in Colne.

He said: "Peter is doing well with preparations while Aaron is always below his weight.

"For me, it is just about eating healthy and not having a crash diet.

"This North West event is the pinnacle of a year cycle and I am going to lifting in the morning and then refereeing in the afternoon.

"It is good because you get to see how some of the younger people in the sport are getting on."

Bulloch also thinks he is in good shape for the event after the disappointment of being unable to make a lift at the European Championships in August.