Veteran weightlifter John Merner knew he had only one chance to set a world record in his latest competition.

Merner, 74, from Sittingbourne, was going for glory at the IAWA Gold Cup in Eastbourne.

He was aiming to break the record in the little finger dead lift, which stood at 50kg in the over-70s 90kg weight class.

He was confident of adding to his 21 world records but suffered a setback in the warm-up when his little fingers tore at the join with his hands.

Realistically, that left him with one shot at securing the record before the pain became too great.

And he made it count by lifting 60kg - earning the Gold Cup.

“I think the little finger dead lift is the hardest one for everybody,” said Merner.

“Out of the 47 lifters I was the only one who attempted it.

“I’d trained on the Tuesday before the competition and I shouldn’t have done because I’ve got a terrible bar and both fingers slightly opened up but didn’t bleed.

“I thought I’d be OK but they tore on the day in the warm-up so I realised I’d only have one lift in me to break the record.

“I put everything into it to lift 60kg and I failed the other two.

“I knew the pain would be too much once the fingers opened up and all the chalk and resin got in the tears.

“If I’d got a second lift in I think I’d have got 70kg because I’ve done it at home in my garage but I knew I only had the one.”

While age hasn’t diminished Merner’s fitness - regular training along with Omega 3 and cod liver oil supplements see to that - he did experience a senior moment when packing his bag.

He said: “I had my flight socks on instead of my weightlifting socks and I forgot my weightlifting belt, which I’ve never done in 47 years. It must be my age.

“The belt is advisory. Some Olympic lifters who do snatch and clean-and-jerk reckon it gets in the way but it helps you lift.

“I was thinking I’d give myself a hernia without it but I’ve been OK.”