Oiled, glistening and toned . . . the best of Cumbria's bodybuilders took to the stage to flex their muscles in a bid represent the county at the Mr Britain finals.

In total, about 50 competitors turned out to strike a pose - and aim to become Mr and Miss Cumbria.

The competition, held at the Greenhill Hotel near Wigton, was organised by the International Bodybuilding Fitness Association (IBFA) and its local president Martyn Yates Brown.

The winners will now look to do Cumbria proud at the next stage of the Mr Britain competition in Gateshead later this month.

If successful in Mr Britain, they'll be looking to challenge for the Mr World title.

Bodybuilders of all ages and sizes stepped forward to take on the challenge, competing in a variety of classes.

There were categories for under-21s, athletic builds, open age and veterans over 40, 50 and 60.

Female competitors battled it out in the tones, athletic and trained classes.

"This is our second year running this competition," Mr Brown, who runs Yates Evolution gym in Aspatria.

"There were about 45 people taking part and another 250 people spectating."

Two people will be going forward as "Mr Cumbria" to the finals in Gateshead.

Winning the under 85kg category was Sam Mulla, 20, from Silloth, while Billy Holliday, from Workington, won the over 85kg section.

The Miss Cumbria title went to Mel Bower, from Barrow. The over 60 winner was Alan Moore, 69, from Workington.

"The whole thing was very good, the overall standard was excellent," Mr Yates added.

"Bodybuilding is supposedly a sub-culture, it's more for heavy duty gyms and the drive for competitions like this comes from the gyms.

"But it is more popular than people think. It is for people who want to push their physiques to the extreme."

Speaking about winner, Sam Mulla, Mr Yates added: "He is only 20 and he has a bright future ahead of him.

"I would expect him to win the under-21 competition (in Gateshead). He is a bit of a revelation for his age.

As well as the closed classes, for Cumbrians only, bodybuilders came from far and wide to take part in the open categories.