THE strongest men and women from across the country came to Bolton this weekend to go head to head for a coveted title.

Crowds gathered in Victoria Square on Saturday and Sunday to cheer on competitors at Bolton Strongman 2019.

For the 10th anniversary of the contest, organisers kept the family-friendly event simple with classic challenges including pulling a three-tonne heavy car, dead-lifting weights and piling up huge items. Hundreds of spectators sat on the town hall steps and watched as categories of novice men and women, along with their experienced counterparts, showed off their muscles.

After a close round, the winner of the experienced men's category was announced on Saturday as Chris Gaskell.

The 31-year-old from Newton Le Willows said he had been training five days a week and eating a whopping 6,000 calories a day to hold onto the title he claimed last year.

After receiving his trophy, Mr Gaskell said: "It's really great and consistent. I came last year and won so I'm really happy that I have come back and defended it.

"I have been training five days a week and eating 6,000 calories every day — I've been eating whatever I can get my hands on."

The event started off in a school playground by organiser Andy Seddon, it has now become the north of England’s biggest free strongman event, giving everyone a chance to give it go.

He said: "People from all over the UK have come to compete, men and women. We have delivered another fun, community weekend and we're particularly happy as it's our tenth year."