Last updated 13:36, Thursday, 01 May 2008

THE leisure club manager of Wetheral’s Crown Hotel has been named Miss Cumbria Toned Body 2008.

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Dedication: Personal trainer Natasha Beattie helps Clare Burrell train in the gym

Clare Burrell scooped the prize two weeks ago and will now go to Germany to represent the UK in Miss Universe next month.

She worked with trainer Natasha Beattie, who is based at Bodytek gym, to prepare for the competition.

She said: “I was absolutely amazed to win, I didn’t expect it.

“It was my job that inspired me to do the contest.

“I do fitness classes including aerobics, aqua, yoga, pilates, step, circuits, bums and tums and training clients in the gym. I also teach classes at St Aidan’s and The Sands Centre.”

Miss Cumbria Toned Body is not about muscle-bound bodybuilders, but about “displaying an athletic level of development presenting a balanced, feminine symmetrical developed figure,” said Clare.

“Judges consider the condition of skin and the skin tone, with the ability to present confidence, poise and grace. Competitors cannot be excessively muscular and should be free from deep muscle separation,” she added.

Clare has been into fitness since she was a child, and has competed in the New York Marathon. She is also a keen tennis player and was City of Carlisle ladies tennis champion. She added: “I would like to thank Mike Smith at Bodytek for his support and advice and Rob Carey, who is currently Mr Scotland, for devising a specific program for this competition telling me exactly what I needed to do.

“It’s a very strict programme and included a strict diet which involves eating nearly every two to three hours with the correct amounts of protein, carbohydrates and fat.

“I had to limit my alcohol and drink lots of water.

“I would also like to thank Velvet 7 hair salon, Anne Charters, who designed my bikini and the chefs at the Crown Hotel for preparing my meals.”