A BATTLE of brawn saw members of Barrow's police force and fire service lock horns as they competed in a fitness challenge.

The Fit Brit Rise to the Challenge pits contestants in a race against the clock to complete nine exercises as fast as possible.

The team at DW Fitness in Barrow extended an invitation to Barrow Police and Barrow Fire Brigade offering them the chance to show who was the fittest force in the town. It was a challenge both sides relished to take part in.

What was in store for the teams:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Members of <a href="https://twitter.com/barrowpolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@barrowpolice</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BarrowFire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BarrowFire</a> are at <a href="https://twitter.com/DWGymGroup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DWGymGroup</a> in Barrow to compete in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FitBrit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FitBrit</a> challenge <a href="https://t.co/jKWHUHTzI8">pic.twitter.com/jKWHUHTzI8</a></p>— Jonathan Rees (@jreesNWEM) <a href="https://twitter.com/jreesNWEM/status/914058618466693120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Inspector Jim Bailey, of Barrow Police, said: "We work with the fire service as we have mutual areas that we work in, helping each other. It's a good relationship.

"It's good to meet up, have a laugh and have a bit of fun. It helps to build relationships. It's breaking down barriers when we don't meet people in a work environment."

Five members of the police including CID staff and the inspector himself lined up against the same number from the fire brigade.

Insp Bailey was confident of victory but added his hopes the contest would raise the profile of the police and fire services in the town.

He said: "I think we will win but it's raising the profile of us. We're human beings at the end of the day."

See the competitors warm up in anticipation of the main event:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Surely just a bit of friendly rivalry... 🤜🏻🤛🏻 <a href="https://t.co/IPGy108JBs">pic.twitter.com/IPGy108JBs</a></p>— Jonathan Rees (@jreesNWEM) <a href="https://twitter.com/jreesNWEM/status/914058871932583936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Fire commander Stuart Dolan was certain his men would carry the day. He said: "The fire service will definitely win. We're much fitter and stronger despite the fact we've done no preparation work.

"We've got a great working relationship in the south but this will build it. It's fun, it builds bonds and its a great release. There will be lots and lots of banter."

Just some of the gruelling exercises the teams took on during the two hours challenge included burpees, kettlebell swings and a 400m row.

One of the competitors in action:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Alternating dumbbell snatches. Who wouldn't want to do that at half 10 in the morning!? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fitbrit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fitbrit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/copsvsfire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#copsvsfire</a> <a href="https://t.co/UU61ZCQ4J5">pic.twitter.com/UU61ZCQ4J5</a></p>— Jonathan Rees (@jreesNWEM) <a href="https://twitter.com/jreesNWEM/status/914060606919122944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Chris Carr, sales manager at DW, has high hopes the challenge will become an annual event with more local groups invited to take part.

He said: "Barrow station manager Roger Exley is a gym member and we talked about doing a competition between fire and police.

"It's something to continue year after year if people will come."

The Fit Brit challenge was set up by fitness magazine Men's Health . It encourages people to push themselves in the race to become Britain's fittest amateur athlete.

Mr Dolan's prediction came true as Barrow fire won a resounding victory. Two teams of two completed all nine challenged in a rapid 26 minutes.

The police team logged a time of 53 minutes.

Mr Carr said he was very pleased with the event praising the great atmosphere created by the teams.

He said: "We're really pleased with the turn out. Once it got going they were really into it. They were pushing themselves on and it was a great atmosphere."