A BOLTON bodybuilder has won the first competition she has ever entered — to book a place in national finals.

Samantha Egan was competing in the North West regional heats of the UK Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (UKBFF) in Warrington.

The 5ft 9ins former Westhoughton High School pupil beat 14 others from all over the country to take the tall category in the bikini fitness section.

The 24-year-old said: "I just couldn’t believe it — I never expected to win.”

Miss Egan, who works for a car rental company but has also qualified as a personal trainer, only began training seriously in November.

This was after watching a friend, now her coach, Josh MCale in the UKBFF’s national finals.

She added: "I’ve been going to the Bolton Arena gym for the past eight years and am interested in fitness."

Training for bodybuilding excellence, however, takes dedication, and Miss Egan began a rigorous dietary and exercise regime of daily weight training, six meals a day and no alcohol

She added: "Yes, it has been quite tough — but it’s been worth it.”

When she started training, Miss Egan weighed 11 stone 4lb with 14 per cent body fat and she now weighs 9 stone 9 lb with just six per cent body fat.

Samantha celebrated her win with her favourite pizza — and then it was back to training for the October final.

Bolton Arena's fitness manager Glenn Carroll said: "Samantha works really hard in the gym. She deserves to do well.”