This year's forklift driving championship generated significant interest.

Eighteen finalists took part in the grand final of the National Forklift Championships held last week at the Sydney Safety Show.

Last year's winner, Mark Gray of Woolworths, successfully defended his title to take top spot again, while Pamela Windsor, also of Woolworths, took the trophy from last year's champion, Anita Malin, who came second.

After the serious stuff, finalists progressed to the ten pin bowling, a fun event which nonetheless challenged contestants' forklift skills, with Kingi Turnbull of Bevchain JV crowned king.

Organiser Bill Henman says the forklift driving championship has generated significant interest this year, with plans to include New Zealand in 2011 as a first step in expanding the event to an Asia Pacific challenge.