Meet the new '˜Mr Bedford' who works out with winter team

Pete Smith won the Battle of Bedford bodybuilding competition, placed first in the Master’s Category, first in the Overall Battle of Bedford, and winning the ‘Mr Bedford’ title, at an event held at Bedford Corn Exchange,

Pete works for Bedford Borough Council as a street lighting and winter maintenance supervisor, part of the team co-ordinating gritting operations.

The council has already carried out its first gritting runs of the season, with each run covering around 480km of road, and with the temperatures dropping Pete and his team are about to get even busier.

Pete said: “As a bodybuilder I have come face to face with many difficult challenges, some of which have threatened to end any chance of me competing. Yet with hard work, determination, and belief in myself I have overcome those odds.

“In the same way our winter maintenance regime very much relies on the same combination of training, hard work and determination by the whole team, to keep Bedford Borough moving through even the most severe winter conditions.”

Cllr Charles Royden, portfolio holder for transport, said: “Whatever weather this winter season throws at us we have the muscle to deal with it, especially with ‘Mr Bedford 2018’ as part of our winter maintenance team. Thanks to Pete and all of the team for all they do to keep our roads moving, and good luck to Pete for further bodybuilding success.”