Body building star - at 46

At the age of 46 a Bexhill man has proved that steroids are not necessary in the quest for perfectly honed muscles.

Under Jon Bowles' leadership, Bexhill's Physiques Gym is determinedly in the "natural" corner. Since 2003 David Whatley has trained four times a week at Physiques, which is based at the Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club's headquarters.

Now David has come fourth in the Masters' Section (over forties) in the Natural Body-Building Competition at Bognor's Alexandra Theatre.

It was his fourth competition attempt. The event, a British qualifier for the national finals in October, put David, of Sea Road, against challenging competition.

The distinction between natural body-building and steroid use is an important one for David.

He needs to set an example.

"I manage a youth team on a health training project called PULSE Youth in Hastings.

"It is a health support project for young people aged between 16 and 25, so I am very keen as well as promoting the gym to promote the fact that we are 'natural' here because there is no steroid use."

David says there is a difference in attitude as well as approach between body-building's two factions.

"There is QUITE a difference. I hadn't done a competition before about two years ago. The last competition I did was at Leamington Spa. That was a steroid show but I wanted the competition experience.

"It was very intense. An entirely different sort of atmosphere. The steroid show was very aggressive. The one on Sunday was much more of a laugh. There were a lot of families there.

"I was very encouraged. There were a lot of guys back-stage and they were saying how good the natural body-building scene is."

Jon Bowles says: "We can train you and get you there naturally without the use of steroids.

It's harder. But it can be done."

David says: "I was up to 15st 7lbs just before Christmas. Now I am 12st 7lbs - the same as I was when I was 22."

David drinks two litres of water a day, eats lots of fruit and vegetables plus chicken and the occasional steak.

He says he has abundant energy and feels really fit - and intends to stay that way.

His dietary regime is not that strict.

"I still like chocolate..."