Swimming in Hyde Park lake on a freezing January morning, training with the fire service and driving articulated lorries – it’s all in a day’s work for the News Shopper’s Action Allie.

Fearless reporter Alison White has made a name for herself as the paper’s adrenaline junkie with her fortnightly column featuring her latest daredevil challenges.

Alison (right) admitted that the prospect of getting up at 5am on a bitterly cold morning to go swimming in a lake wearing just a swimming costume did not at first sound like her idea of fun.

But she said the adrenaline rush which she felt when she took the plunge and crossed the finishing line more than made up for “severe stabbing pains" in her legs from the icy water.

Alison said: “The swimming was what I was most worried about – but I think it was more painful having to get up at 5am!

"I actually rang up NHS Direct before I did it and was told not to jump in or I might die from the shock.

"I got a really big adrenaline rush but had to sit in the changing rooms for about 20 minutes afterwards recovering. It was really fun to write about as well."

Writing about her experiences in the News Shopper, Alison told readers: “I lowered myself into the one-degree water and set off.

"At first I was surprised how the water did not seem cold.

"I then realised this was because I had a massive rush of adrenalin as I hit the water which was wearing off.

"My muscles became stiff and lazy, slowing me down.

"I was last across the finishing line but felt exhilarated.

"Though this feeling was slowly replaced with pain as the changing room returned heat back to my muscles.

"Keep this strictly off-the-record, but perhaps I will shed my common sense again and return for another swim."

Alison’s training day with the fire service saw her tackling a fire, searching for a dummy ‘casualty’ and using hydraulic cutting equipment to remove the roof of a car.

But she said the scariest moment occurred when she was taken up on the station’s lifting equipment – and handed the controls.

She said: “It’s one my weaknesses if I’m left in control – I was worried I might jolt it and tip us out!"