REDDITCH can proudly claim one of its firemen is a world-beater.

Brian Hughes, 31, has just returned from the World Police and Firefighter Games in America where he trounced most of the competition, taking two silver medals and one bronze.

It's the second time Mr Hughes has competed in the prestigious athletics event, which was held in the sweltering heat of Indianapolis.

Although his success has not gone to his head, he is determined to do even better at the next games in Barcelona, Spain, in 2003.

The firefighter, whose interest in athletics sparked off when he was a pupil at Abbey High School, is now a member of Trafford Athletics Club in Manchester.

Mr Hughes' speciality is the decathlon, in which he took silver.

This was followed by a bronze in the long jump, another silver in the pole vault, and a fourth place in the 110m hurdles.

"In all the events I've been to I can say this is the one I'm most happy with," said Mr Hughes.

"The standard of athletics was very high and it was a great chance for me to compete at that sort of level.

"The great thing about it was the camaraderie. There were police, firefighters, customs and prison officers from all over the world so it was a nice social event as well."

But unusually for a firefighter the heat did pose a problem.

Mr Hughes added: "It was the hardest three days of athletic competition I've ever been through, mainly due to the extreme heat and humidity.

"But I was pleased with my performance and the medals I came away even if I didn't get gold. There's always Barcelona!"