A CONTEST to find the country’s strongest man is to be held in north Essex.

The Valhalla Festival of Muscle and Power, at Layer Marney Tower, will host England’s Strongest Man 2011 contest in July.

Twelve strongmen will battle it out for the title and get the chance to represent England at the UK’s Strongest Man final later in the year.

There will also be a Mr and Miss Valhalla contest, Viking workshops and re-enactments, spear, knife and axe throwing, falconry and archery.

The festival, on Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24, is is being put on by Colchester businessmen and international event organisers Scott Horton and Gordon Evans.

Mr Horton, who owns Hercules Gym, in Colne Bank Avenue, said it was a real honour to be hosting the contest.

“The guys involved will have some serious tests to face, including the Farmer’s Walk, where they race along a course with a heavy weight in each hand, and the Atlas Stones, lifting gradually heavier and heavier stones on to a platform.”

Famous strongmen are expected to be there to officiate, including Geoff Capes, twice the World’s Strongest Man, and the current holder of the UK’s Strongest Man title, Glenn Ross.

Mr Evans said the event would also cater for families and youngsters with a Viking storyteller, bouncy castle and face painting. There will also be a bar, tug-of-war and live music.