CHARLENE Harvey may have only turned to bodybuilding 10 months ago but is already beginning to muscle her way into the sport.

After being asked last year by a friend if she would take part in a bodybuilding competition Harvey, of Malmesbury dedicated herself to a strict diet regime to get herself in peak shape.

Having already completed several London marathons, an injury left her looking for a different sport and after not getting on with cycling she turned to bodybuilding.

“I have always done a base-line bodybuilding type thing any way, it has always been my favourite type of exercise,” she said.

“A friend of mine is a personal trainer and has done a couple of competitions and because I am in the gym a lot she asked me to give it a go.

“I was quite reluctant at first, but she talked me into signing up and I have been training like crazy since to get in shape. The training basically stayed the same but it is all about manipulating your diet. So whereas most people eat three meals a day, I eat seven or eight.”

Harvey made a successful first appearance when Pure Elite hosted a world championships qualifying round last month. The 35-year-old had entered into four categories and, after a nervous start she settled into it well and finished with three trophies, coming second in fitness model, second in muscle model and third in mums that lift.

Harvey decided that whilst in competition condition she would enter the Miami Pro, in London, last weekend and picked up first place in the figure and muscle model categories, as well as fourth in mums that lift.

“I didn’t expect to do that well, especially as it was my first time,” she added. “It was my first time I have been out on stage and I was so nervous, I was shaking.

“Somebody pushes you out onto the stage and all you are wearing is a bikini and some heels and all these lights are on you. As the day went on I got a bit more confident and by the end of the day I absolutely loved it.”

She qualified for the Miami Pro World Championship in 2016 at Alban Arena Hertfordshire as well as having the Pure Elite World Finals in November in Margate.