NEIL and Elaine Pickup make sporting history next month when they become the first brother and sister to captain the British team in the World Arm Wrestling championships.

And the couple have the unenvious task of taking their teams to Virginia Beach, USA, to try and wrestle the titles away from the mighty Russians.

But Neil, 22, the current European International champion and ranked number seven in the world, is ready for the mission which takes place between October 10-27.

"It is a great honour to lead the British team," said Neil, "But with Elaine as captain of the women's team it is an added incentive for both of us to do well. We are both very proud of becoming the first brother and sister captains since the sport took off in this country 17 years ago."

Older sister Elaine, 25, who lives with Neil in the family home in Beech Grove, Darwen, is the more successful of the two - being the current British and European champion and ranked number three in the world.

Both warmed up for the championships at the Northern finals held at the Game Bird in Chorley at the weekend with second places in the respective weights.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.