WHEN Kelly Burke decided to tie the knot with her partner of 25 years, she was determined to look and feel great on her big day.

Like many brides-to-be, she embarked on a health and fitness regime to shift the pounds that had crept on over the years.

But as well as losing almost four stone in weight, she also gained something unexpected — a passion for exercise and pushing herself with new challenges.

After scaling the highest mountains of Scotland, England and Wales, she is now in training for Total Warrior — a 10-mile race with dozens of extreme obstacles such as 8ft walls, swamps, electric shocks, tunnels and fire.

The mother-of-two, aged 43, from Bolton, said: "My exercise regime was non-existent. The only thing I ever did was swimming when I went on holiday.

"I drove everywhere, I was always in the car and now I've got a bike. I even used to go to the shops in the car."

With her wedding to Gerry booked to take place at Mere Hall in April, 2012 — to also celebrate her 40th birthday — Kelly started going to Vintage Health and Wellness Studio, Knowsley Street.

At her biggest, she weighed more than 16 stone and has shed 3st 10lbs since embarking on a fitness programme, including a range of classes such as spin, combat and high intensity workouts.

Mrs Burke, who works in information and communications at Bolton Council, said: "I felt amazing on my wedding day.

"My fitness levels are so much better.

"We go away quite a lot for weekends and I make sure there's a good walk to do and put my walking stuff in the boot."

It took her 23 hours and 11 minutes to complete the Three Peaks Challenge last June and she is hard at work training for Total Warrior.

She said: "If I say I'm going to do something, I do it.

"Last year, I had done the Three Peaks. I do want to do something I have never done each year.

"The Three Peaks was the best thing I've ever done — the best and the hardest.

"I hated it and loved it at the same time.

"I'm nervous about Total Warrior, I've never done anything like this before."

Kelly will be part of a group of 10, from Vintage, who will take part in the event in the Lake District in August.

Vintage co-owner Gareth Price said: "Total Warrior is tough. There are one or two of the obstacles that really freak people out, monkey bars being one of them."