POCKLINGTON bodybuilder Mark Gecko finished second in the Yorkshire Championship Natural Bodybuilding competition.

Staged at Holmfirth, Gecko's silver success in the 70kg category earned him an invitation to participate in the Great Britain Championships.

It is Gecko's second invitation to compete against the cream of Britain's natural bodybuilders in only his second season.

It will also be his second British championship of this year having earlier taking part in the national powerlifting finals.

Gecko finished second in that competition, losing by only 1kg and also earning an invitation to take part in the World Championships in the USA.

A lack of finances means Gecko will not be heading Stateside, instead he will be heading to the gym as he prepares for forthcoming competitions.

First, however, he will be recuperating after three top-flight contests back to back.

He also gained a creditable fourth place in the Northern Natural Bodybuilding Championships in Redcar.

Although Gecko failed to defend successfully the title he won last year he was up against the current world champion - who claimed first place in Redcar - and two of Britain's leading natural bodybuilders.

picture- MUSCLING IN: Body builder Mark Gecko has earned an invitation to take part in the Great Britain championships