A 56-YEAR-old grandmother from Sale, is celebrating after winning in her category at the European Power Lifting Championship - just months after seriously taking up the sport.

Val Tinker who runs dress shop, Freds in Urmston - named after her supportive husband - dead lifted 110 kg in the category for women aged 55-60 who weighed 67.5 kg.

She returned home from the championships in Stoke-on-Trent with an engraved paper weight and a certificate marking her achievement.

Val, of Kilvert Drive, said: “I was the oldest competitor. I lifted more than some of the younger ones.”

Two years ago she was a size 22 who got out of breath pushing her granddaughter’s pram.

Her daughter, Adele, said: “You must do something, mum. I want you to be around a long time for my little girl.”

So, taking the advice of her work colleagues, she telephoned John Warburton, the then personal trainer at the George Carnall Sports Centre.

A half hour appointment turned into three hours

“I signed on for a month but wasn’t too sure” said Val

John texted her saying “I’ll see you next week” and she went.

It became fun and after a month, although she had only lost a little weight, she had begun to lose inches from her waist. After 15 months she had lost 5 stone.

Then John took her to the weight room. “I lifted some light weights. They toned me up.”

She switched from weight lifting to running a 10k muddy obstacle course. Later,, while training, she slipped on a rock causing two bulging discs in her spine.

So, in January this year, she returned to the weights to build up her strength.

She finally entered the championship.after gruelling qualifying trials

“I want to inspire other mature ladies to do it,” she said.