SWINDON bodybuilder Brian Skeete qualified for the BNBF British finals in Glasgow last weekend after winning the 2009 Welsh Open in Newport.

Skeete, above, the older brother of two-time Olympic hurdler Lesley-Ann Skeete, beat six others to take the Masters title and advance to the national competition, which will be held at the SECC in Scotland’s second city on October 9.

The competition involved three stages. Firstly, the contestants were scrutinised in a comparison test through quarter turns.

Next they went through a series of compulsory poses before each participant took to the stage individually to perform a 90 second routine to a piece of music.

The 46-year-old trains intensively three to four times a week, putting in hour and a half sessions at the 24 Hour Gym in Hillmead, as well as doing six 45 minute cardiovascular workouts a week too.

“It’s pretty time consuming really. I guess it’s almost quite selfish,” Skeete said. “But my family have been great with their support, my wife in particular.”

Along with family time, Skeete has also had to make sacrifices when it comes to his diet. Taking on between 1600 to 1800 calories a day.

“I miss puddings, crisps and cakes most of all.” he said. “But I guess it’s a short term thing.”

On his chances for the final, Skeete said: “My only wish is to be the best I can be on the day.

“It’s not like a race. It’s a subjective about your looks and presentation.”