WHEN he lost his job at Golborne Colliery over a decade ago Phil Carlon was a normal looking bloke.

He became a house husband looking after his three daughters while wife Jayne, a midwife, took the weight of being the main wage earner on her shoulders.

To fill his spare time Phil started working out at his local gym and entered a body building contest for fun -- and to his surprise he won.

As a result he started to take the sport more seriously and began training with a passion that has taken him to the top of the body building world.

Last year 40-years-old Phil, of Grimshaw Street, Golborne, saw his dreams become a reality when he completed a grand slam lifting the British, European and World crowns.

Last month he left for Australia with Team England to defend his class three world title and though he lost it to teammate Steph Sinton he was not too disappointed. The Scot went on to win the overall crown.

Phil said: "I was really in top shape and it was a good result for me."

Now the devoted dad, who has a spectacular haul of huge trophies on show in his conservatory, is planning to take a break before going all out to get in shape for a Mr Universe title, go for his pro card and then compete in 2006 for the top of the tree title against the professionals at the Olympia Masters.

Resting for Phil does not mean becoming a couch potato and letting his strict regime go by the board, it means he will still train twice a day but on three days a week instead of on five.

And during those sessions he will work on every muscle in his body!

Phil, who is chief cook and bottle washer for himself and his daughters Jasmine, Mica and Amber, is also a practical man to have about the house.

He claims he can turn his hand to anything and his well furnished and decorated semi-detached home with self-built extension is a testament to his DIY skills.

As well as cooking special meals for himself every two hours, he prepares run-of-the-mill meals for the family, and has the will power to resist the stocks of chocolate and crisps in the cupboard.

When he is in training for competition Phil, who is 15 stone of solid muscle, follows a special high protein diet, but his year off does not mean he will allow himself to indulge.

He will still eat good food but swallow more fats and calories in the form of salmon, oily fish, and cheese to put on more weight, so that when he starts preparing for competition he can work to convert it to muscle.

He said: "I must admit getting used to dieting was very hard at first but you just have to be disciplined."

Phil also takes body building supplements and is sponsored by Ultimate Nutrition and Tootell's butchers, though more backers would be welcome.

Before heading for the eight day competition in Australia he attended a north west bodybuilding show at the Floral Hall, Southport, with Jayne and had the shock of his life when he was called on stage to receive the NW Bodybuilder of the Year 2003 trophy.

He said: "I thought I was being asked to present an award. When this was presented to me I couldn't believe it."

Phil, described by friends as a quiet and genuine guy who is not at all big-headed, says he has a few thank-yous to say to those who have helped him to follow his dream.

The first go to his home team, the wife and daughters he describes as his best friends, the residents of Golborne for all their support, friends and family, Cheryl Draper and her staff at Top Tans, agent Mike Sullivan and Richard Webb for their advice on nutrition and training and Kevin Metcalfe and all the lads at the gym "for making me believe in myself".