A burning desire for a hot story kept reporter Lynn Kernan on her toes - when she decided to give fire walking a try.

The journalist, who works for the Evening Express in Aberdeen, was invited to try the alternative therapy by a shamanic teaching centre, and found walking over hot coals "surprisingly enjoyable".

During the fire walk she crossed glowing coals of up to 1,200F, but before she took part in the main event she was treated to a number of energy rousing exercises during a rigorous five-hour workshop.

She said: "We were asked to take part in the trust fall, where one person stands on a four-foot stage and falls backwards into the arms of the group.

"Then it was time for the teepee and some meditation around a burning fire.

"And finally, there was the arrow break, in which participants shatter an arrow by confidently lunging forward while the tip is against their throats."

Lynn and her fellow volunteers then made their way to the fire which they had lit together a few hours earlier, and although it had burned down to glowing embers it was still intensely hot.