Novice powerlifter Louisa Towlson has qualified for two events in the forthcoming British Championships after a superb debut performance in the South East Counties Bench Press Championships.

Towlson - representing the newly-formed Maidstone ISOPA team - lifted more than her body-weight as she was named best lifter in the ladies competition at the event in Sittingbourne.

Lifting in the 60kg class, Towlson benched 50kg with her first lift, 55kg with her second and rounded the competition off with a 60kg lift with her final attempt - half a kilo more than her bodyweight.

Team-mate and fellow novice Brian Crowther bench-pressed 135kg in the over-40s heavyweight class.