A once ‘overweight and unfit’ Sidbury woman has been selected to represent Great Britain in the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships, two years after she took up the sport.

After searching the internet for things to do in Exeter, Sue Bath joined the Exe-Calibre Dragon Boat Club.

The 50-year-old began competing for the club in the national league for the mixed and ladies’ crews.

She has participated in the Henley Winter Series and the Vogalonga regatta in Venice, Italy.

Sue said: “As a teenager, I represented the county and region at various sports, but this will be my first experience of representing Great Britain. In my second year of dragon boat racing, I really got the bug and thought I would try out with the GB team, mainly for the fitness workouts, but also with the vague thought ‘could I really get selected for the team?’”

After being selected for the Great Britain team, Sue has been juggling her international duties with her full-time job as a physiotherapist.

The mother of two manages physiotherapy services at Honiton, Ottery St Mary and Sidmouth hospitals, plus a GP clinic at the Blackdown Practice in Hemyock, near Cullompton.

Sue added: “I tell my patients every day that they can achieve if they commit, and now I feel I am truly demonstrating that in person.”

She has begun seeking sponsorship to help cover the costs of her team uniform, flights and accommodation.

The world competition will take place at the Welland International Flatwater Centre in Ontario, from Wednesday, August 19, to Sunday, August 23, and will feature around 4,000 competitors from more than 30 countries.