KIDDERMINSTER gym Unique Fitness emerged as one of the best in the country after a nine-strong team won a haul of trophies at the WPF World Championships at the University of Bath.

Quartet Debbie Hickman, Dave Clements, Harry Whale and Roy Brown all took titles and set world records in their classes as the gym enjoyed its best haul of silverware ever from a major tournament.

Three hundred competitors from 18 countries descended on Bath to compete at the start of November.

Instructor and competitor Steve Knight was delighted his team’s performance.

He said: “It was a great performance by the guys we sent out.

“We must be one of the top gyms for powerlifting in the country.

“There were 300 competitiors from 18 countries competing, but our team won six titles which really puts us up there.”

Bewdley resident Hickman, 50, was in great form in the 50 to 53 age category, winning the title after lifting 110 kilograms in the squat, 60kg in the bench press and 140kg in the deadlift, setting a new world record in the process.

Alison Lawson achieved personal bests of 70kg (squat), 45kg (bench) and 120kg (deadlift).

Cleobury Mortimer’s Clements, 67, broke British records and world records in the under-90kg category with 170kg squat, 126kg bench press and 200kg deadlift to come first.

His training partner, 63-year-old Kidderminster resident Roy Brown, was also in excellent form to win his section after lifting 165kg (squat), 195kg (deadlift) and 95kg (bench press).

Whale, 56, who took part in the under-90kg class 55 to 59 age section, was in record breaking mood with 202kg (squat), 180kg (bench press) and 222.5kg (deadlift).

Tony Rook, 56, had personal best lifts of 235kg (squat), 250kg (deadlift) and 150kg (bench press), while Rob Preston set a new British standard in the bench with 225kg in the under-90kg group.

Tony Brown fought off strong opposition from USA, beating his American opponent by 2.5kg with a bench press of 245kg and setting a new British record in the process. Knight also set personal bests to take second place in the open men’s under-90s.