WHEN a knee injury forced former Leigh Miners' threequarter Steve Culshaw out of the game he loved he took up golf.

But he admits he was rubbish and in his forties took a break from sport.

Then in 1998 when a new gym opened just round the corner from his Atherton home he decided to get fit again.

At the age of 55 the building company boss has qualified for this year's Mr Universe Contest and is busy getting in shape to compete in the over 50 agegroup of the world renown contest at Southport's Floral Hall on October 8.

Steve, of Hillside Avenue, who qualified for the competition after finishing runner-up in the Mr England contest, first took part in Mr Universe two years ago and will be delighted if he makes the top 10.

Steve, who has been married to Annette for 26 years, has a daughter Joanne, 26, and son Gareth, 24.

He played rugby for the Miners between 1970 and 1984 but says he was "blitzed by a bad knee".

When well-known physiotherapist Stuart Cosgrove opened his gym conveniently close to home seven years ago Steve signed up just to improve his general fitness.

After a few months Stuart told him there was a competition coming up and suggested that perhaps Steve would like to take part. He did, finished second and caught the bodybuilding bug.

He trains at least four times a week and is helped and advised by Stuart on exercise and diet regimes.

When he played rugby 5ft 9in tall Steve weighed in at 13stone,. Off season he now registers 18 stone, but slims down to a competition weight of 16 stone by following a tough diet.

He said: "I think I must be a glutton for punishment. I broke a lot of bones playing rugby but this sport is more to do with mental aptitude and having strong self discipline. When I was forced out of rugby playing for the third team I thought that was it, but the gym opened a new lease of life for me.

Golborne bodybuilder Phil Carlon, 42, is also gearing up to take part in the contest.

The former miner started training after he lost his job when Golborne colliery closed down

To fill his spare time Phil started working out at his local gym and entered a body building contest just for fun - and to his surprise he won.

As a result he started to take the sport more seriously and began training with a passion that has taken him to the top of the body building world.

Phil, of Grimshaw Street, saw his dreams become a reality when he completed a grand slam lifting the British, European and World crowns.

Last year he lost his class three world title to team-mate Steph Sinton he was not too disappointed. The Scot went on to win the overall crown.

Phil , who has a spectacular haul of huge trophies, is going all out to get in shape for the Mr Universe title, go for his pro card and then compete in 2006 for the top of the tree title against the professionals at the Olympia Masters.

His wife Jayne and daughters Jasmine, Mica and Amber will be backing him at the contest.