Some of the world's strongest men are coming to Gloucestershire this summer to do battle in the UK leg of the Strongman Champions League.

Crowds can expect to see international stars competing in iconic events such as truck pull and log lift at Gloucester Quays this August.

The Strongman Champions League involves a series of competitions held all over the world. Last year it went to Portugal, Russia, Finland and the Caribbean and now it's been confirmed that this year's UK leg will be held in Gloucester.

Barry Chandler from Highnam, who with his business partner is bringing the event to the county, told BBC Radio Gloucestershire this morning that it was very big news in more ways than one.

He said: "Both myself and my business partner who was involved in setting up the UK leg are both local so we thought it would be nice to have it on our doorstep and, whilst the Strongman has a big movement within the UK most of it is north. We thought it would be nice to put Gloucester on the map and bring it down to the South West."

"My business partner competes in the Masters circuit for over-45s and went over to Romania to compete and spoke to the directors of the tour and said there's a big movement in the UK and they said why don't you give us a proposal and here we are.

"They've got their own television company that follows them around and broadcasts it around the world so it has a certain amount of razzmatazz that goes with it.

"The compéres gee up the crowd up, there's flags, music and dancing. The adrenalin really does flow so when the competitors pick up 400 or 500 kilos and it's the first time they've done it they will run around high-fiving the crowd."

Barry said crowds could expect to see events such as the traditional farmer's walk, Atlas stones and the log press.

"We are toying with the idea of the truck pull but we are trying to think of something more old school strongman, which we're going to keep under wraps for the time being."

BBC presenter Mark Cummins suggested pulling a Downton's lorry or maybe carrying Gloucester town crier Alan Myatt in all his regalia.

"It would be an interesting option. If Alan's up for it I'll give him a call," joked Barry.

The Gloucester event is due to be held in Orchard Square which recently hosted the Gloucester Ice Rink.

"It's a lot larger area than you think," added Barry. "We went to view it when the ice rink was on and now the rink has gone there's a good space for us to put the event on."

The Strongman Champions League is the largest international Strongman competition on Earth.

It involves 16 competitions in 16 countries featuring a minimum of 12 athletes at the top of their game. 

Each competition is played out in some of the best venues that each country can offer, and then broadcast all over the world. 

Each competition boasts a prize money total of up to $15,000 with a potential total prize of $300,000.