And among the competitors were Earby's Lee Bowers and Mick Towneley, of Burnley.

The UK Strongman Premier League voted its debut in Nelson "a resounding success".

The winner was Yorkshire farmer Mark Westaby, who took four of the six events on the day to become the first holder of the title. He was a finalist in the World's Strongest Man contest in America last year.

Mr Derrick Lynagh, of 2Bold Productions, said: "The first season has been really successful, beyond our expectations. Despite bad weather at all three events, our 'open door' policy paid off and we attracted a lot attention for the sport."

At the final fixture at Seedhill, the six strength events included the Farmer's Walk, Vehicle Deadlift, Log Flip, Truck Pull, Log Press and Atlas Stones.

Mr Lynagh said: "For the first time in a UK event, three men each stunned the crowds by managing to lift a 200kg Atlas Stone. This was amazing stuff, a really Olympian performance."

The strongmen say their athletic contests of pure strength are "unaccountably missing from the Olympics".