AN intensive 27-week diet and hours of hard work paid off when Sam Slack was crowned British champion at the Natural Physique Association awards.

The 27-year-old, from Corringham, competed at the show in Bedworth, Warwickshire.

The Natural Physique Association encourages people to create the best body they can by following a natural bodybuilding lifestyle.

At the shows, strict and thorough drug tests take place – meaning competitors cannot get away with taking steroids and other substances.

Sam won in the British lightweight novice category, just weeks after returning home from the regional finals with three trophies.

Sam said: “I would like to thank the Natural Physique Association and their sponsors for a great show and will immediately start training again. But after 27 weeks of dieting, a treat is well on the cards!”