THE British weight lifter Peter May has been banned for life after testing positive for banned substances, the international weight lifting federation confirmed in Budapest yesterday.

May was among several lifters, reportedly as many as 10, who tested positive for performance enhancing drugs at last November's World Championships in China.

Germany's Stephanie Utsch was also banned but the international federation (IWF) could only confirm the suspensions of May and Utsch because it was still waiting for results of the "B" sample analysis in the other eases.

"Only the A sample of those in question has been tested so far and, therefore, the IWF does not want to violate the rights of the athletes by making their names public," said a federation spokesperson.

"Only in two cases has the procedure been completed so far and the decision was to suspend the German and the British weight lifters."

Wally Holland, general secretary of the British national federation, confirmed that May had been banned by the world body after testing positive for an anabolic agent.

Holland said the national federation would meet on March 30th to discuss the case. May finished 15th in the 200lb class in China.