Sheila Carlisle, of Throxenby Lane, won gold at the Great Britain Indoor Rowing Championships in Birmingham, beating off opposition from all over the country in the 65-69 years age-group category.

Sheila, who is 67 and gets fit by going to BJ's gym every day, said: "I won gold in the heavyweight section, although I was just 2lbs over the lightweight limit.

"We had to row for 2,000m and mine was the quickest time. It came as quite a shock to find out I had won gold, although I did win silver in the same event two years ago.

"I love keeping fit and will admit to being a gym junkie. I go to Bj's every day and the owner there, Julie Greathead, is a brilliant coach and helps with both the mental and physical side of things, and she encouraged me to enter the British championships.

"Going on the rowing machine is one of the exercises I do at the gym, so taking it a step further to compete in the championships was a natural progression."