A Grantham-based voluntary fitness mentor for Lincolnshire Police is bringing the UK's Strongest Police Officer 2019 contest to the county this weekend.

Kirsty James, Lincolnshire Police Risk Management Officer, also undertakes the voluntary role of fitness mentor for the force and not only volunteered to host the national event but is also competing.

She said: "The reason I decided to host this was due to competing in the sport for over three years and falling in love with it.

"I became involved as my gym was hosting a novice strongman/strongwoman competition in June 2016 with the owner challenging me to enter, which I did and won!

"Unlike most sports that only require one particular type of focus or element, strongman is so diverse with each competition different from the next, meaning you have to be well skilled and practiced in as many as five or six different events for a competition.

"From my first competition I have entered a further three competitions and came first in two of them. I am currently the third strongest woman in England for my bodyweight.

"Throughout my fitness journey I have met so many different people, of all shapes and sizes, who have become lifelong friends who share the same passion and interests, but who have also helped me to recognise that there is no one size fits all model when I comes to health and fitness.

"Which was why I wanted to extend this sport to the police and I found that there was already a police strongman competition held each year."

The contest is being held on Sunday (23 June) from 10 am onwards at the Warehouse Strength and Conditioning, Unit 2, Dankerwood Road, South Hykeham.

Forty-seven officers from across the country - including Kirsty and two Lincolnshire colleagues - will take part in strength testing events including dead lifting and ten tonne truck pulling.

The full day event aims to raise money for the Police Dependants Trust and MIND; both pivotal charities in helping the policing family overcome tragedy, trauma and any subsequent mental health issues that arise as a result.

Donations will be accepted on the day although entry is free for all. There will also be a raffle which gives the winner a chance to train with Laurence Shahlaei, a renowned UK Strongman and a previous winner of Europe's Strongest Man.

Kirsty wanted to put Lincolnshire forward as host county to reinforce the Chief Constable's ethos around fitness and wellbeing.

"I thought it was important for me to host it this year as I feel that the way Chief Constable Skelly has steered the force in the direction of wellbeing has taken tremendous effort, with Lincolnshire Police now being one of the driving forces for the wellbeing agenda.

"I want to show that whilst the day is about being physically strong I have wanted to raise the awareness of the struggles that officers and staff face whilst protecting the 'thin blue line'.

"I think UK's strongest police officer is a great day to showcase the strength, teamwork, dedication and passion that are all important qualities needed in modern day policing whilst showing that wellbeing takes many forms from yoga and meditation - to pulling 10 tonne trucks!

"This sport is for everyone of all abilities with me coaching a Strength and Conditioning class every Sunday to help with such events as my passion for the sport continues I want to give others a chance to experience it and try something new."

Chief Constable Bill Skelly has offered his best wishes for the day commended Kirsty on doing 'a fantastic job' in bringing the event to the county.

Photo: Kirsty vs truck