AWARD-WINNING powerlifter Pat Tombs has smashed world records – and claimed her first World Championship.

The 67-year-old, from Clacton, was victorious at the World Drug-Free Championships, in Glasgow.

Despite a niggling knee strain, she completing her three squat lifts and then eclipsed world records in the bench press and deadlift.

It was enough to earn the overall title in her Masters Six (65 to 69-year-olds) 50.5kg class and followed a highly-successful fortnight for the retired nurse, as she was recently crowned Tendring’s Female Sports Personality of the Year.

Tombs, of Salvia Close, works and trains at the town’s Gallery Fitness Gym.

She said: “I was so thrilled.

“I didn’t know how much the knee injury would affect me and this was only my third competition, so to do so well was an incredible feeling.”

Tombs managed two world records in her age and weight category, lifting 43kg in the bench press and 95.5kg in the deadlift.

Coach David Gunning said: “This was the climax of a fantastic year for Pat.

“Her hard-earned World Championship trophy will now take pride of place alongside her Tendring Sports Personality Award.”

Meanwhile, Clacton powerlifter Cliff Haynes, who travelled to Scotland to support Tombs, recently smashed more British records.

He set new bests at the East Midlands Divisional Bench Press Championships. His top lift was also the best in Europe this year, in the 74kg category.

The 53-year-old, who weighed in at 73kg, achieved all three of his targeted weights, lifting 160kg, 170kg and 180kg.

The latter two were British records and it means he’s now qualified for the National Championships, in Lincolnshire, in January.

“It went really well and, thankfully, I smashed it,” he said.