A 6ft4in 22-stone Rishton man has lost out in his bid to become Britain’s Strongest Man But the third place finish by Mark Felix, 42, was good enough to allow him to compete in the World’s Strongest Man competition.

Last night’s final, shown on Channel 5 at 8pm, ended the Britain’s Strongest Man series which has seen Mark carry two motor bikes with a combined weight of 406kgs and also compete in the Giant Farmers' Walk with 160kg weight in each hand.

On the latest episode he pulled a 40-tonne train for more than 20 metres.

Finishing third out of Britains 30 competitors, has qualified him to compete in the World's Strongest Man competition in West Virginia this week.

It is the fith time he wil bid for the world title.

Mark, who came fourth in the global event in 2006, finished a disappointing seventh in last year's final - winning his favoured deadlift event - but said he learned valuable lessons from some key mistakes.

He has had a busy few months already this summer, coming fourth at the European Championship in Poland before entering Britain’s Strongest Man.

The father-of-three, who is originally from Grenada, said: “Every year I gain more experience and learn more about what I am capable of. I believe I will do better than ever this year. I believe I can win. It is hard, but I have come on so much.

“Last year was disappointing, but I felt my energy levels in the final weren’t as good as they had been. I had let the travelling affect me, I wasn’t sleeping well, I wasn’t focused and and I wasn’t eating as I should have been either.

“I’ve learned from that and I have a plan of action, I’m coming prepared for those problems this time.”

Mark only took up strongman competitions five years ago.

The man-mountain, who works as a self-employed plasterer out of season, has a 21.5 inch bicep and each thigh measures 31 inches. Maintaining his bulk requires 6,000 calories a day - which is up to three times the recommended intake for most men.

Mark, who moved to Great Harwood from his native Grenada nine years ago, lives with his wife Denny and children.