Members of the Yorkshire Special Needs Power Lifting Association have training sessions in the prison gym every Sunday morning.

The group of men and women take part in the international Special Needs Olympics every four years, as well other competiitions every year.
Among them is Lee Lawson, 32. His stepdad John Yeadon attends the Armley sessions with him.

"There are European and Euro-Asian competitions," said John, 65, a retired truck driver. "Last year people from the group went to China and came back with four gold medals. Lee has won English, Scottish and Welsh championship medals."

Lee, who can power lift 145kgs said: "My care worker got me involved. It makes me strong."

Lee has also won gold, two silver and a bronze medal at the European Special Needs Games.

John added: "These lads come down to the gym every Sunday morning to train the athletes. The inmates and officers oversee it. I'm not interested in what they are in for as they are helping these young athletes and are returning something to the community."

Among the trainers is prisoner Martin Close from Castleford, who was sentenced to two years for burglary.

"I love anything like this," he said. "It gets me out of myself and you are helping people."

Gary Giff is one of the prison officer volunteers and is one of Armley's PE instructors.

He said: "We are training them to get them ready for the Special Needs Olympics. These people could hold their own against mainstream athletes."