WORCESTER bodybuilders Martin Burford and Xyleese Richards are hoping to begin married life together as British champions.

Burford and his fiancee have both qualified for the UK British Bodybuilding Feder-ation Championships in Nottingham on Sunday.

Burford, owner of Pro-Fitness in The Butts, is competing in the light heavyweight under 90kgs category, while Richards is in the female heavyweight over 52kgs section.

The pair, who have to show off their muscles in a series of choreographed poses to music, are both aiming for success before returning to Worcester to get married four days after the competition.

Thirty-seven-year-old Bur-ford finished third in the Midlands finals in Birmingham to qualify, while Richards finished runner-up in the southern finals of the English Bodybuilding Federation event in April.

"I haven't competed for 10 years but when Xyleese was competing she made me," Burford said.

"If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be doing it. It's really inspired me."

Burford, also second at the North East championships last month, has had to go on a strict diet to meet the required weight.

He said: "I have had a lot of work to do because I only had 12 weeks to prepare.

"I weighed 17 stone 8lbs 12 weeks ago.

"On the day of the show I was 13 stone 9lbs.

"It's 100 per cent dedication 24 hours a day, seven days a week."