GOLBORNE bodybuilding champion and ex-miner Phil Carlon flew round the world this week to defend his world title in Australia. Before he left, Phil told his story to Rob Johnson.

Can Mr Muscle clean up in Oz?

A WORLD champion bodybuilder from Golborne jetted out to Australia this week to defend his title.

Muscle man Phil Carlon will also defend his British and European titles when he takes on the world's best in the eight-day competition in Brisbane, Queensland.

The 40-year-old from Grimshaw Street took up the sport 10 years ago when he was made redundant from his job at Golborne Colliery in 1993.

He became a house husband to his three children, and in his spare time would go to the gym to work out.

He entered a local bodybuilding contest which he won and then he began to take the sport more seriously.

Two years ago he narrowly missed out on the British title, but his dreams became a reality last year when he scooped the British, European and World title, to be crowned the undisputed king of muscle.

Phil, who works out twice a day five days a week and only has eight per cent body fat on his steely frame, said: "I'm going out there to win again. I'm feeling better than I have ever felt, training has gone well and I feel ready to take on anyone. I think I've got a good chance of winning it again, but it just depends on the calibre of my opponents on the day."

Phil said it takes a lot of dedication with three daughters in his house.

He said: "It can be difficult at times when you look in the cupboard and see all these crisps, sweets and biscuits which the girls eat. You have to be disciplined and watch your diet."

But he said that his family are right behind him as he attempts to win the world title for the second successive year.

He said: "My wife and children have always supported me since I started and they will be right behind me, cheering me on."

Phil was given a send-off to remember last Friday when he was presented with a cheque from staff at Top Tan, Heath Street, Golborne, to help meet some of his travel costs for his expensive trip Down Under.