HOWDY partner! A real-life cowboy from Lancashire is in Texas saddling up for an international rodeo.

But Tommy Haslam, from Accrington, is not riding on a horse - he is in the driving seat of a garbage truck!

This week Tommy will drive a 32 tonne garbage truck through a series of rigorous tests such as navigating obstacle courses, cracking eggs and dunking basketballs.

The skilful 36-year-old has already proved he is the best garbage truck driver in the country when he beat scores of competitors in a rodeo in London. Now he is representing the country in the International Rodeo in Houston where he is bumper-to-bumper with competitors from all over the world. Tommy works as a front end leader driver for American company BFI, who organise the Annual Browning Ferris Industries Truck and Heavy Equipment Rodeo.

Tommy, who lives with wife, Jean, and daughter, Amy, 16, said: "I am a good driver and think about things first instead of rushing into them and making silly manoeuvres. And you have to be a bit lucky to win because the tests are so demanding."

Tommy is accompanied by his family on the week-long all-expenses paid trip to Houston, where they will stay on a ranch.

He said: "I am happy with the British title, but it would be great to come home with the world title."

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