A WORLD-RENOWNED competition makes its way to Bradford for the first time on Saturday.

Mr and Miss Universe pits the finest bodybuilders against each other and famous names such as Arnold Schwarzenegger have graced the stage in the event's 71-year history.

Now more than 200 elite athletes, from 28 countries across the globe, will take in the nostalgic delight of St George's Hall.

The event is run by the National Amateur Body Builders' Association (NABBA), a non-profit body based in the U.K. which hosts a number of competitions throughout the year.

Some of the countries represented this year include: the USA, Mexico, Australia, India, Canada, Spain, France, Germany and Brazil.

Contestants will check-in at The Great Victoria Hotel, with the competition kicking off at 10am on Saturday, November 2.

It means visitors from around the globe and country will experience two of Bradford's most iconic buildings.

North East Representative for NABBA, Paul Jeffreys, declared it an honour to be able to bring Mr and Miss Universe to Bradford.

He said: "There's ten areas, we cover the whole of the U.K.

"My area covers Yorkshire and the Humber and I'm quite proud to have it in Bradford.

"People said, why have it there?

"But when I showed them pictures of St George's Hall, they said 'wow'.

"Some people are a little critical about Bradford but we aim to show them what Bradford is all about.

"Overall, the NABBA council makes the final decision, but bringing it to St George's Hall, well everybody agreed this would be great not only for NABBA, but Bradford too.

"All we need now is the Yorkshire people to support us, and lets keep this the original bodybuilding federation show in Bradford."

The competition has developed over the years to become more inclusive too.

There are a total of 19 different classes for people to compete in.

This includes the more traditional offerings, such as "Mr Pro Universe", as well as more niche categories, such as "Miss Trained Figure".

Mr Jeffreys said: "It's not just all big muscles.

"We've got a bikini class, a lighter class for men.

"There's five lady's classes, so it's not all about men either."

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Doreen Lee, will also be attending the event and Mr Jeffreys insists you don't need to be a bodybuilding guru to enjoy the spectacle.

He said: "Its great to see how hard the athletes have worked through training and diet to achieve this peak physique not everybody can do this its needs focus and determination and a understanding partner.

"It becomes a competition and, although we have the judges, most people watching try to pick the winners.

"It shows you can achieve anything if you put your heart into it."