A receptionist from Hoole is making waves in the glamorous world of physique competitions.

Elly Hudson, 24, was crowned the winner of the Bikini Short Class category of the USN BodyPower Classic competition in May and will compete in the UK British Championships in October.

Elly, who describes herself as a fitness competitor rather than a bodybuilder, said: “I honestly did not expect to even come within the top three as I knew it was a tough line-up, but hearing my name and number being called out as the winner and an entry to the British championships was unreal!

“It made all the hours of 5am dark morning training, dieting, food prepping, and missing out on social events worth it! As soon as I stepped off stage with a trophy which weighed almost more than me and my bouquet of flowers, my legs turned to jelly and I cried with happiness. There really is no better feeling knowing all your hard work was worth it!”

Elly explained that bikini athletes should be ‘lean without excessive body fat, but shouldn’t display significant muscle size, separation or striation’.

A self-proclaimed former ‘cardio queen’, Elly said she became involved with weight-lifting when she started taking Les Mills BodyPump classes. After positive feedback from personal trainers who told her she had the perfect frame for competing, she was accepted on to International Bodybuilding Federation bikini pro Michelle Brannan’s Competing Showgirl Fitness Team.

Elly’s strict exercise regime consists of weight training six times a week, with one day of rest and she’s an ardent believer in the power of healthy eating.

“My diet isn’t a diet anymore it’s a lifestyle for me now, I love eating healthy and feel terrible if I don’t,” she said.

“I couldn’t imagine going out of the house without a Tupperware box in my bag or not knowing what I would be eating for my next meal - It’s all about preparation and every meal I have is all weighed out.”

Elly’s ultimate goal is to one day have a Pro Card, which will mean she can compete as a professional around the world.

She said: “I want to be the best I can be with great recognition for it. I hope one day it can be my full time career.