A BARNTON man is set to take on crane drivers from 11 countries in a bid to become world champion.

Thirty-six year-old Ashley Myatt will compete in a the UK's qualifying contest held at Oulton Park on Tuesday, February 24.

Ashley, who works at TG Builders Merchants on Manchester Road, Lostock Gralam, will race against the clock in a range of activities at the famous racing circuit.

The competition has been organised by Hiab - a leading crane manufacturer.

He has held a crane licence for six years and worked at TG Builders Merchants for the past seven years.

"Hiab have ran this for past few years and I didn't really know much about it until a few weeks ago," he said.

"But my manager told me about it and I entered.

"It will involve operating a wagon based crane and you will start it in a parked position and then go around crates that are already in position. You also pick up some pallets then drop your load into containers.

"They've got a guy who is dressed in black with a crash helmet called Eric who completed the course in two minutes, two and a half minutes and he's a bit like the Stig from Top Gear.

"We'll have done well if we do it anywhere near three minutes."

The winner from each qualifying event enters the final, which is to be held at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, England, on April 14 to 16.

"The prize for winning is split in two parts," Ashley added.

"It's €20,000 off a price of a crane then the driver gets €5,000 in travellers cheques.

"I will just go out there and do my best."