PERSHORE could soon be home to the UK's first strongman training camp if Britain's Strongest Man competitor Chris Wiltshire has his way.

Mr Wiltshire, who pulled a 32-ton lorry last week to raise cash for Children in Need, is hoping to set up the specialised camp before Christmas if things go to plan.

He and his training partner Russell Bradley want to set up the camp to offer specialised training based on exercises used in the national strong- man competition activities.

And Mr Wiltshire, who previously missed competing in the UK Strongest Man competition by just one point, has big plans.

"I want to get the camp going so I can get that extra point," he said.

"It will be the only one of its kind in the country, and the idea is to do the same type of things that they do in the national competitions.

"We hope to start running our own competitions too."

Mr Wiltshire, who lives in Whittington, near Worcester, works full time as a carpet fitter. He decided to set up the camp because of the lack of facilities and funding for the strongman sport.

He has since received support and interest from all sectors of the Strong Man sporting contingency, many of whom have already arranged to come and use the camp.

"The problem is that this sport gets no funding, yet if you went to other countries they would treat it like cricket, and that's why we keep getting beaten," he added.

"This sport is a labour of love. I'd love to do it full time but the funding is a problem."

The camp will cater for a variety of different competition events, including the Farmers' Run, where contenders walk as far as they can carrying 110 kilo weights in each hand.

Another event is the Atlas Stones, where large blocks of concrete are placed on top of a wall.

Now Mr Wiltshire is keen to get the show on the road.

"There are still some finishing touches that need doing, but it's coming on nicely, so fingers crossed for opening before Christmas," he said.