A BURY bodybuilder represented the UK on the world stage and muscled his way into second spot.

Damian Lees, of Old Lane, Walmersley, competed for his country at the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation Championships in Boston, USA, where he has among a team of eight competitors representing the UK.

He lost out to Australian Joel Ramintas on a tie-break decision, with the judges scoring it 5-5.

While the 36-year-old said he was slightly disappointed not to come out on top, he was delighted with his placing.

Damian said: “It was absolutely fantastic. My goal was a top three finish so I achieved that.

“I wouldn’t say I am kicking myself, but I lost out on a tie-break. Five judges had me first and the other five had Joel Ramintas first, so the head judge had to decide.”

The judges look out for muscle size, shape, proportion, and the definition of the muscle after competitors perform a number of different poses.

Damian says that in the course of his training he has dropped to five per cent body fat to aid his development.

His appearance at the event in America comes after Damian triumphed in the under 75 kilogram class at the United Kingdom Drug Free Bodybuilding Association in Leamington Spa.

While he is not competing at international events, Damian trains at the Olympic Powermill in Hornby Street, Bury, five or six times a week, and works as a personal trainer.

It is not the first time that Damian has been on the hunt for trophies after he was crowned Teenage Mr Ilkeston back in 1995.

Damian is now readying himself for his next feat — to marrying his partner of 10 years, Nicola, in December.