NIK Naylor is back in serious training after being selected to represent Great Britain in the World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships in Bangalore, India in December.

Nik, who owns Nik Naylor Bodysculpture and Fitness in Lord Street, St Helens, has had a busy year so far - organising the Open British Bodybuilders Championship which takes place at the Theatre Royal on November 4.

Nik said: "St Helens, Wigan and Warrington have probably the highest number of bodybuilders in the country.

"There is a lot of talent out there so it is good for the town to have the Championships here.

"I decided in January to do a guest spot at the show and after about two weeksI was getting phone calls from all over the country from other organisers asking me if it was true that I was getting back into competition and if I could do guest spots.

"At this point the thought of competing again after six years away from the competition side of the sport was a definite no.

"Then I got a call from the international secretary of the World Amateur Bodybuilding Association telling me about the championships and asking me to compete.

"I said no at first but I have been hounded by the guys at the gym that much that if I did not agree to say yes, they would not forgive me."

The Championships are being held in India to help promote the sport there and help them improve their training techniques.

"It is a special VIP event for all the competitors being paid for by the Indian Government to promote the sport.

"It has come as a bit of a shock to me to be back in the thick of the action - serious training, meticulous detail to my nutritional intake again, but I must admit it is like a breath of fresh air and I am really enjoying it so far," he said.

Anyone wishing to contact Nik about the Open British Championships can call him on 01744 613561 or email him on nnikwabba@aol.com