Customers at a leading Lancashire hotel will be having their arms twisted next weekend - all in the name of sport.
The Crofters Hotel at Garstang is the venue for the finals of the British Junior Arm Wrestling championships on Saturday 4 October. Twenty youngsters aged 13-18 from throughout the UK will be competing in five weight divisions for the right to represent their country in the European and World Championships.
“Kids love the sport,” said Neil Pickup of the British Arm Wrestling Federation who lives in Blackburn. “It has all the aggression and intensity of boxing - but nobody gets hurt!”
Senior events have been held in some of Britain’s biggest venues such as the Trafford Centre in Manchester, National Exhibition Centre at Birmingham and Liverpool Echo Arena. However, Pickup said the Garstang hotel - which can host events for up to 250 people and is one of the North West’s most popular conference and wedding locations - was perfect for the youngsters.
“It’s a lovely hotel with a great atmosphere and less daunting for the kids than these huge arenas,” he added. “They’ll be coming to Garstang with other members of their clubs, their parents and brothers and sisters.”
The five winners will qualify to represent Britain in the World Junior Arm Wrestling Championships in Canada in December and the European Championships in Bulgaria in mid-2009.
There is no charge for admission to the British finals at the Crofters Hotel where the event will run from 2-8 pm.
ENDS
Media queries to Hotel PR. Tel. 0141-552 4800 or 07867-510451