A powerlifting bodybuilder has deadlifted his way to glory after winning a prestigious industry competition.

Alexander Clarke won the Andy Bolton Deadlift Challenge, by successfully deadlifting 385kg (847lbs), at the competition in Rotherham on October 12, beating many highly decorated lifters, including the current Britain's Strongest Man, Graham Hicks.

The 30-year-old from Darwen has been bodybuilding since the age of 16, but began focussing on powerlifting after competing in a small challenge at the age of 24.

Mr Clarke, who weighs in at an impressive 19st, said: "I'd been bodybuilding since my teens but the deadlifting was going well and I did a small comp and loved it, so made the decision to pursue powerlifting and leave bodybuilding behind."

During the five years that he’s been competing in powerlifting so far, he has won overall titles at both the British and European championships.

Mr Clarke, who works as a powerlifting coach and also owns the online magazine, British Strength Magazine, was not a favourite to win the event, having hit a plateau with his personal bests over the last year.

But his efforts shone through and he managed to beat off 15 other competitors.

He added: "I'm happy that the past year of work has paid off and that I have finally won what I consider to be a huge competition."

The Andy Bolton Deadlift challenge is the brainchild of powerlifter, and the first man ever to deadlift 1000lbs, Andy Bolton.

The competition is one of the biggest in the UK and regularly features over 100 competitors including the very best deadlifters in the country.

For the past two years, the challenge’s proceeds have gone to Kidney Research UK, and this year, all of the money raised went to the Laura Crane Teenage Cancer Trust.