A SALESWOMAN from Evesham clinched the deal at a prestigious bodybuilding competition in London.

Laura White has qualified for the Physical Cultural Association (PCA) Grand British Finals on Sunday, June 19, in Birmingham after winning the athletic figure category.

It was the 27-year-old’s first bodybuilding event since she decided to hit the gym following a serious knee injury suffered 18 months ago.

White ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament when attempting to get on a horse but said she was determined to stay fit.

“My history is all horse riding but I did a stupid thing when I tried to vault a horse as I swung myself and snapped my ligaments,” she said.

“I didn’t get anything done about it as I thought I had just strained it, so I carried on for a couple of months which caused a lot more damage.

“Once I knew I couldn’t ride, I had to get a focus again and I liked the idea of bodybuilding.”

With the help of Utopia Gym, Evesham, White trained her upper body throughout her recovery before being able to begin leg training in February.

She has also worked with bodybuilding coach Claire McKee.

But White insisted it was still a “surprise” to secure top spot in London as she had to fit her training around her full-time job as a sales rep at Howdens Joinery.

“I didn’t expect to do well at all as I had never competed before and I am not a performer, so I found doing a routine to music and posing all quite difficult,” she said.

“To put it all into perspective, I have not seen any friends or family for about three months as I do cardio before work for an hour and then train straight after work.

“I would love to bring a better package for the finals and hopefully do well in that. I will then have the rest of the summer off, so I can get a bit of normality back and then I will have a go at it again in the winter.”