When Jodie Marsh became a competitive body-builder for a TV documentary, she turned to a Barrowford granny to create her stunning costumes.

JODIE Marsh was so impressed with Anne Edgar’s beautiful bikinis that she asked her to run up 14 – one for every day of her holiday in Barbados.

Her daily tweets posing in the multi-coloured, bejewelled two-pieces went around the world and the pair became great friends.

Anne, 58, owner of Harlequin Workshop, says: “Tim Sharp, Jodie’s trainer, had seen my work and introduced us. A picture of her in a bronze bikini with Swarovski crystals was published by all the papers.

“Jodie insisted on taking my bikinis with her to America and when the film crew saw them they commented on how amazing they were. She’s such a lovely loyal girl and the publicity it generated was amazing.”

Today she sponsors Burnley’s Catherine Hosker Brothers who has a string of national, international and even world body building titles to her name Catherine, who was working in a Nelson foundry as a wax assembler, was so impressed by Anne and her business that she pestered her for a job.

“She told me that as a dedicated bodybuilder it would be her perfect job, so eventually I said ‘oh, go on then’,” laughs the boss.

Harlequin has survived for 30 years because Anne has a knack for spotting a developing niche market. Her foray into body building costumes – which include women’s one-pieces and even men’s posing trunks - came about after a meeting with former national body building champion Jayne Tingle from Horwich, for whom she designed bikinis for several years .

Word spread of Anne’s design skills and orders increased. “We have adapted our skill at making dance costumes which are designed to stay put. The body moves, but the costume stays in place.

“When girls are competing in G-string or thongs they can not afford to have any accidents.

“For body builders buying a costume is like buying a wedding dress. If they have worked hard for two years for a competition, they want to be assured that they look their absolute best.”

Anne, who learned her trade working with professional seamstresses, offers a personal service. She discusses and designs styles with clients, many of whom previously bought their bikinis online from America.

But her designs are not only popular with bodybuilders. Many girls are seeking out Harlequin for holidays. And with prices starting from £50 up to £500 for a heavily jewelled item, it’s no wonder that they’re treated with reverence.

So does Anne wear her own creations when she leaves behind the busy Barrowford workshop for the beach? “No, no, no, “ she laughs. “If I was 30 years younger maybe.”

Building a challenge for world title

BODYBUILDER Catherine Hosker Brothers wants to rule the world.

The 30-year-old former foundry worker from Burnley has already notched up the Miss England, Miss UK, Miss NW England (twice) titles. 

She came fifth in Miss Universe and took second place in the world championships in Dublin last year. Next June, she hopes to take the world title in Belfast.

“I’m competitive,” says Catherine. “I have always been interested in sport. I was a swimmer and I ran for Burnley. I’ve always gone to the gym. But when I went to see one of my friends compete in a bodybuilding competition, I loved it and wanted to be part of it. I want to win everything – no-one has done it yet – so I want to be the first.”

Catherine has trained for seven years, fully supported by her husband Martyn, who shares her bodybuilding passion. When she’s competing she trains every day and her diet is key – eggs, turkey, chicken, steak, protein shakes and lots of vegetables – for muscle definition.

“I’m normally a size 12, but when I’m preparing for a show I get down to a size 10 in about 14 weeks. I don’t drink, but when I’m not preparing for a show I eat whatever I like and that includes cake and crisps.”