DARWEN'S champion arm wrestler has returned from the world championships with a well-earned silver medal.

Andy Barker, 26, of Chapman Road, Hoddlesden, beat off competition from 38 countries at the event in Canada.

"He was phenomenal, he wrestled out of his skin," said Neil Pickup, Andy's coach. Four-time world champion Asgur Kisgin, from Turkey, pipped him for gold but Andy gave him "a real battle", added Neil.

Current world champion Sergey Pisarkov of Russia finished only seventh and the world number three finished 20th.

"Most of these competitors are paid professionals who arm-wrestle for a living," said Neil. "Andy only does this part time and he battled through incredibly."

Elaine Pickup, Andy's girlfriend and Neil's daughter, from Hoddlesden, also represented Britain at the event. She won bronze on both left and right arm in the women's 70 kilo competition, becoming only the second woman ever to receive medals in three different weight categories.

"Andy's semi-final against Switzerland was a brilliant match," said Elaine, a former world champion. "He is a very technical arm wrestler and a pleasure to watch."

Neil agreed: "Andy is the highest ranked man on the British team and is always an entertainer. His semi-final was phenomenal when he knocked out Pascal Girard."

Andy was also the first British man to be invited to the Arnold Classic, a competition Arnold Schwarzenegger graced when he was body-building.