A GRANDFATHER has muscled in to the British finals of the Natural Physique Association (NPA) bodybuilding competition after a year of gruelling training.

Graham Levett, of Ray Avenue in Dovercourt was runner-up in the lightweight category of southeast heat of the event held in Tonbridge, Kent on September 1.

He will now compete in the national finals in Bedworth, north Warwickshire next month against 50 other hopefuls.

The NPA enforce a strict policy of no performance enhancing substances by using drug tests and lie detectors to ensure participants have been drug free for life.

Mr Levett, 45 has three grandchildren who are proud but is number one fan is three year old Zachary who watched from the audience in the heats.

“When I was on stage all I could hear was him shouting “Granddad, Granddad!”

“He was stripping off and doing all the poses and he even came back stage and met some of the other competitors.

“When some of the fake tan started to come off he would shout “They’re melting.” He loved it.”