CUMBRIA'S strongest novice competition which took place over the weekend (May 4) saw regional records being broken.

The event, which took place at CRL in Lillyhall, was the first instalment of this year's Cumberland Strongman Super series.

Cumbria's strongest novice competition involved five events: the log press repetitions, the medley, the max 18" deadlift, stone to shoulder lift and a maximum distance shield carry with a 100 kilo shield.

The novice event was won by Mathew Scott from Workington with Jack Toddhunter in second place and Dale Bell in third. 

The stand-alone log press and deadlift event was won by Workington's James Heald, who managed to lift a 350kg 18" deadlift and the 155kg log which was the heaviest log ever pressed in Cumbria.

The current Cumbria's Strongest Man, Karl Gorman, came in second place, which sets up a clash between the two of them and novice champion Mathew Scott at the Cumbria's Strongest Man event on July 20 at Rivendell, Stainburn.

Organiser Dave Straughton said: "The crowd were fantastic and very noisy offering great encouragement to all the athletes.

"Teenagers Payton Telfer, 14 and Lewis Horn, 16,  both took part, with Lewis coming in an absolutely amazing fifth place in his first competition before he has even done his GCSEs.

"We're really looking to the rest of the Super Series which will be Cumbria's Strongest Man and the first ever Cumbria's Strongest Woman in July, and King O'the Styans at Honister Mine in September when we have athletes from Finland, Canada and the USA coming to take part."