Could you be new Mr Pennine bodybuilding champ?

Michael Coupe from the Fitness Factory and Margaret Duckworth from Intershape Fitness team up to relaunch the Mr Pennine competition.

Fitness Factory owner Michael Coupe has brought back the traditional Mr Pennine competition which died out 25 years ago.

The competition hopes to attract the top toned women and muscular men to battle it out for the crown at the Pendle Hippodrome next month.

Physique athletes from across the North are already queuing up to contest for the traditional title.

Mr Coupe, who teamed up with Margaret Duckworth from Colne’s Intershape Gym to reignite the show, said: “It has been really well received and tickets are selling fast.

“So far we have athletes signed up from Burnley, Nelson and Colne and as far afield as Bradford, Keighley and Liverpool.

“We have had lots signing up in the over 50s and junior categories. There are also a lot in the Bikini Class for girls who are in a fit shape but not muscular and some signed up for the women’s toned and physique categories.

“One woman is about to turn 50 and she has only been training for three years but she is in great shape.

“Our oldest competitor is 63 – he has not competed for a number of years but was inspired to make a comeback when Mr Pennine was announced.”

Mr Coupe hopes it will draw hundreds of spectators and win the sport some new fans.

He said: “It should be a really impressive spectacle and it is shaping up to be a great show.

He said: “It would be great to see members of the public come in and see what it is all about and spark an interest.

“I think it will be really impressive for someone who has never seen a bodybuilding show before. It is not just about having big muscles it is about having a pleasing physique.

“Spectators will be impressed with the standard and what the athletes have done to get to that stage and the way they pose to music.”

“We hope it is a big success and we are already planning for next year’s event.”

There will be 12 competitive classes for male and female athletes including under 23s, novice, athletic, toned figure, physique, bikini class and a host of men’s categories.

Businesses from Burnley and Pendle will be sponsoring the event and presenting trophies to the winners. The overall winner will claim a year-long sponsorship deal with a top European sports supplement company.

The contest is set to be held on April 26th and tickets and athlete entry information can be found at www.mrpennine.co.uk