An athlete from Westbury will be jetting off to Hawai next month to take part in the Ironman World Championships.

Diane Hier, 55 will be completing the three most toughest endurance races in one event, a 2.4 mile Swim, 112 mile bike race and 26.2 mile marathon.

Mrs Hier has taken part in previous Ironman events, but qualifying for the world championships has always been her ultimate goal.

She said: "Competing in the Ironman World Championships is the absolute pinnacle, I have been dreaming about this since I started running and I thought to myself one day I will get here.

"I am lucky enough to have support from some amazing people, Shaun and Jane May who have paid for my flights, and my coach Paul Ryman who I have been training with for a few years now, and I could not be where I am today without him."

"I am very excited for the event, although I know the heat and humidity will make it even harder."

Mrs Hier is part of several local sporting clubs including Avon Valley Runners, DB Max Swim Group, Warminster Masters Swim Club and Avon Valley Tri Athletes.

She has taken part in a gruelling 15 hours a week training routine, which her husband and grown-up daughters have also participated in.

Mrs Hier said: "I got into running in my 30's, and our family has always been into sports.

"It's great that my family train alongside me, I am extremely grateful for their on going support."