STRENGTH of body and mind will be needed by competitors in Calne this Sunday as they look to be crowned Wiltshire’s Strongest Man.

Around 35 competitors split into two categories, open and novice, will be taking on five excruciating events throughout the afternoon at Calne Leisure Centre whilst also raising money for charity.

Organiser Dave Walsh, a former strongman competitor, is donating all the proceeds from the indoor event to the Multiple Sclerosis Society after he was diagnosed with the condition in May last year.

Mr Walsh, of London Road, Chippenham, said: “I used to do strong man competitions and I was actively competing for Wales but last year I was diagnosed with MS.

“When I was diagnosed, the MS Society got in touch and helped me out a lot, people don’t know enough about MS so we’re raising awareness too with information boards out on the day.

“I still want to get involved in the sport and this competition is the best way for me to do that.”

It is the first time the event has been held in Calne with world’s strongest man competitor Rob Frampton set to be attending as a guest referee with competitors expected from as far afield as Wales and Essex.

The first event will be a maximum dead lift, starting at 260kg for the open contestants and rising to nearly 400kg, followed by a yoke, carrying a 400kg bar across your shoulders for 20m, and an overhead medley.

This is before the sandbag medley, carrying three sacks of 110kg, 120kg and 130kg down a 15m course and onto a platform and the final event, the atlas will see competitors lifting stones weighing 110kg, 120kg, 135kg, 155kg and 175kg onto raised podium.

Mr Walsh said: “The sandbag medley is probably the toughest event, you’re so knackered. It’s definitely going to be tense, there's going to be a massively competitive atmosphere.”

The first event is at 10.30am on Sunday with tickets costing £3 for adults and £1 for children and the prize giving is expected to take place between 3.30pm and 4pm.

To donate to the Wiltshire Strongest Man’s JustGiving page for the MS Society visit: www.justgiving.com/SouthWestStrengh/