In their quest for the perfect physique tens of thousands of gym users could be risking their lives, doctors have warned, according to The Daily Mail.

A 'mini-epidemic' of heart and liver disease is looming because of regular abuse of anabolic steroids.

As well as professional sportsmen and women, an estimated 150,000 amateur fitness enthusiasts now take performance-enhancing drugs, according to the British Medical Association.

In a report, the Association says that up to a third of GPs can expect to see patients who are abusing steroids and other drugs, which have similar effects.

Surveys suggest that one in ten gym enthusiasts admits taking steroids or 'polydrug cocktails'.