THE strongmen are coming to East Lancashire and they're ready to flex their muscles.

The CNP Professional Strongman Premier League will be a three-show event staged at Burnley and Nelson with one more date yet to be confirmed.

It is the first time a strongman event has been held as a league format and will include 20 of the best competitors in the country.

Local interest comes in the shape of Burnley's Mick Towneley, who will be lining-up alongside Liam O'Sullivan from Darwen and promising Padiham youngster Colin Jones.

However, the star of the show will be Colne's Lee Bowers, a former World Strongest Man and Britain's Strongest Man finalist.

Bowers will be going in to battle with Ollie Thompson, Britain's Strongest Man in 2006, and Mark Westaby, who competed in the British and Worlds last year.

The strongmen will be contesting prize money of over £5,000, with prizes for event and show winners, plus the overall league champion.

The league format is an exciting move forward for the sport and former strongman and event organiser, Derek Lynagh, is hoping to make it an annual event.

"I suppose we are just dipping our toe in the water but the response we have had has been very positive," said Lynagh from Padiham.

"We would love this to become an annual event and maybe make it a four, five or even six show league in the future.

"This is the first time anyone has ever held a strongman competition in a league format so this is big move for the sport. And we are delighted to be holding it in East Lancashire.

"Apart from Britain's Strongest Man, the prize money compares favourably with any other event. So it is in the competitors interest to enter as many shows as possible to stand a chance of winning the overall title."

The first event will be held at Fitness Factory on Burnham Business Centre, Blannel St, Burnley on Sunday, May 4.

That will be followed by a two-day event on a date and venue yet to be finalised before the league concludes at Seedhill running track, Nelson, on Sunday, August 10.

The Fitness Factory show will include popular events such as the farmer's walk, truck pull and atlas stones, as well motorcycle overhead press, vehicle deadlift and a loading event.

Each show will involve six different events while the two-day show will involve four events on each day.

Entry is free for the Fitness Factory show and for further details, contact Derek Lynagh on 07790 484382.