Two women living less than ten miles apart have been crowned world champion bodybuilders in New York.

Anna Millington, from Eldwick, was crowned amateur world champion while Cheryl Myers, from Sutton, claimed the professional title after beating competitors from more than 15 countries at the International Natural Bodybuilding Federation championships.

And the pair, who live just a few miles apart, hadn’t even heard of each other until meeting up at the competition earlier this month.

Anna’s success is fresh on the heels of beating former glamour model turned bodybuilder Jodie Marsh at a competition in October.

The former Keighley firefighter said: “Words can’t describe how I feel. I am ecstatic.

“Winning the world title goes way beyond what I ever thought I would achieve.”

The 37-year-old started competing seriously three years ago. The sport forbids the use of physique enhancers such as steroids and competitors must undergo frequent drug tests.

Her success in New York means she will be able to compete as a professional in future events.

Forty six-year-old Cheryl has won the WNBF world champion title three years in a row and five times overall.

She said: “It is fantastic to win again. It was the most outstanding line-up this year and to win against women of that calibre is incredible.

“It is even more amazing that Anna and I are from the same area.

“There are at least five or six female bodybuilders from West Yorkshire. It is a bit of a standing joke that the county is a hot bed for bodybuilding activity. It must be something to do with Northern grit.”

Cheryl, who has been competing for 24 years, said she was considering taking next year off due to family commitments, which would mean she would not compete against Miss Millington in next year’s world championships.