Record-breaking lift for museum's security chief

Tom Griffin, who works at the National Railway Museum in York, lifted a staggering 39-stone weight at the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) competition in Bournemouth.

Mr Griffin yesterday demonstrated the feat he achieved using a solid concrete railway sleeper which is the same weight as that which he managed to lift.

The 46-year-old, who weighs nearly 16 stone and lives in Leeds, said: "Breaking the world record was a momentous achievement for me and one I will always be proud of. The training was very intense, but very much worth it in the end."

His triumph in the WPC's championship means he is now the British, European and world record holder for bench presses in the Masters category.

Mr Griffin, who started powerlifting in 2007, began preparing three-and-a-half months prior to the lift, with a combination of a strict diet and intense training.

As head of security at the NRM, Mr Griffin's role involves making sure the nation's collection of railway artefacts are safe and secure.

Picture: Bruce Rollinson.