Mark Felix lives, breaths and most certainly eats the dream of one day become Britain's strongest man.

For the former body builder has an appetite as big as his 6ft 4inch frame that weighs in at a colossal 21 stone.

Mark, who originates from Grenada but now lives in Great Harwood, chomps his way through a diet a rugby team would find hard to swallow.

Big breakfasts, high protein drinks along with mounds of meat, vegetables, fruit and fish all help him pile on the pounds -- and turn fat in to pure muscle.

Mark's date with destiny is on the horizon and he is as hungry as ever to succeed.

For the 38-year-old giant has qualified for his first ever Britain's Strongest Man, just two years after taking up the event.

And man mountain Mark will be hoping to finish in the top five of the televised event in Minehead next month -- and qualify for the World's Strongest Man which will be held in the Bahamas.

The British finals are a major boost for the plasterer who narrowly missed reaching the event last year when he was a novice.

However, his trainer, Stan Brydon, believes the extra year's experience has turned him in to one of the favourites to win.

"I can't see Mark missing out on the plane to the Bahamas for the World's Strongest Man," said Stan who has help Mark ever since he walked in to the Great Harwood Gym two years ago.

"Mark had to finish in the top three of his heat to qualify for the finals and then in the top five to go to the World championships.

"I not only think Mark is good enough to finish in the top five, he is good enough to win the whole thing."

Mark's athletic build makes him ideally suited to the competition that has come a long way since the days of Geoff Capes.

"In those days it was all about brute strength but these days competitors have to be more all-round athletes. They have to demonstrate a good fitness as well as strength.

"Mark certainly has that and there are very few events he is weak at."

Mark is one of 30 competitors who have reached Britain's Strongest Man heats who will be split in to three groups. The top three plus one wild card will then go through to the final.

All of the competitors will then take part in a series of events including carry and drag the anchor, train pull, dead lift barrels, over head press an the farmers walk with weights.

The final itself will include the Fingals Fingers event, popular in the World's Strongest Man, the overhead press, dead lift, train pull, bike carry and the Atlas stones.

The Atlas stones, the downfall of many a competitor, is one of Mark's strongest events and Stan is sure he can carry off the title.

"If it was down to pure dedication then Mark would win easily. I have never known anyone who trains as hard as he does."

Mark qualified for the Britain's Strongest Man after winning the North of England championship.

He also won the Scarborough Open, was second in the Top Ten in Britain and was third in England's Strongest Man -- and event he should have won.

Stan added: "Mark was kicking himself after finishing third in the English because he knows it was an event he could have won.

"But he has learnt from his mistakes and will come back bigger and stronger."

The Great Harwood man has built up something of a reputation on the strong man circuit and Stan thinks it is only a matter of time before he becomes a household name.

"Everyone knows Mark on the circuit and it won't be long until a lot more people will know about him. He will become Britain's Strongest Man."