LAST year the Anderson family, from Witney, decided to take up serious bench pressing.

Now 12 months later Mark Anderson, wife Lucy and son Ryan have all qualified for the world championships.

Although Mark, 50, had ambitions to reach to become world champion in his age group, Lucy and Ryan were both new to the sport.

Lucy said: “Neither me nor my stepson had really done much of this before, but as Mark was fairly intent on pursuing his aim, we thought that we may as well give it a go too.

So fast forward about 12 months – and all three members of the family had qualified for the BDFPA (British Drug Free Powerlifting Association) British Championship held in Kings Lynn.

Their aim was for each to finish in the top three of their category, as this would qualify them for the world championships to be held in Antwerp on June 2.

The results were spectacular as all three finished first.

Mark won the 60kg M3 class with a British record lift of 105kg.

Ryan, 18, followed suit by claiming top spot in the 52kg open category with 70kg – another British record.

Then to complete a remarkable treble, |Lucy, 39, took first place in the ladies’ 50.5kg class with a lift of 60kg.

“There was no British record for me,” said Lucy.

“But who cares when you’re a national champion.

“So, we’re all off to the world championships – whoop whoop!”