Bournemouth Daily Echo journalist Natalie Bruckner is to compete in a sprint triathlon next month.

The 31-year-old feature writer was inspired to take part in her first race since school after watching her husband take part in a triathlon last year, and is now busy with last-minute training.

The South Coast Sprint Triathlon will be staged in Seaford in East Sussex on Sunday, September 3, and will see Natalie and her fellow triathletes attempt a 750-metre swim, 20km cycle and 5km run.

She said: "I've not done one before but my husband did one in London and it looked like good fun.

"Exercise can be dull so this has given me a focus - I have to train."

Natalie will be joined on the day by her best friend, Catherine Gorrod, and the pair have been out and about cycling, running and swimming to prepare.

They also completed a full trial-run last week, cycling to the swimming pool before going for a run.

Natalie said: "I want to do it within one hour, 45 minutes, but we are going to be in the sea so it really depends how violent it is on the day. That will make a huge difference."

She also says this could be the first of many races.

She said: "This year I'm doing it for fun but maybe next time I'll do it for charity.

"And when you hit 40 you go into the veteran category.

"I think it would be really cool to be a veteran triathlete!"