Sleeping on the job in Spain

A 62-YEAR-OLD Ecuadorean man has managed to ignore the noise of a busy Madrid shopping centre and snore loudly enough to win what was billed as Spain's first siesta championship.

Organisers this weekend proclaimed unemployed security worker Pedro Soria Lopez the champion for sleeping 17 minutes, presenting him with a cheque for €1,000 (890).

They said he not only slept soundly but his snoring on Tuesday also registered 70 decibels - roughly the equivalent of the noise of someone talking loudly. That earned him extra points and enough to defeat the runner-up, who slept for 18 minutes.

"I am so happy to be the first champion," said a laughing Mr Soria Lopez, who said he was a regular siesta taker.

The nine-day contest that ended on Saturday was organised by the National Association of Friends of the Siesta, with the aim of promoting the custom, which some believe is in danger of vanishing because of the pressures of modern living.

"People are so stressed out they can't take siestas any more," said spokesman Andres Lemes.

"Studies show it's a healthy practice that recharges your batteries."

Each of the 360 contestants got just one shot. There also were individual prizes for snoring, odd sleeping positions and wearing striking pyjamas.