Miss Leech is '¨a real peach '¨on the beach!

Bodybuilder Jessica Leech, 24, was crowned North West Bikini Fitness champion by the UK Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation at a championship competition in Warrington.

Jessica, of Shirley Heights, Poulton, was bitten by the bodybuilding bug three years ago, and spent nine months training for the championships, which saw her compete against eight other super-fit women from across the North West.

She said: “Bikini fitness is a type of bodybuilding where you’re lean and toned, but not too muscular. You’re supposed to have the ideal beach body.

“You’re judged on your full appearance – your muscle definition, your bikini, yourhair and make-up, your confidence on stage and how you present yourself.

“They give you an overall score and obviously I was what they were looking for. I knew that when I walked on stage I had worked hard for months and months, so probably my confidence in knowing that I couldn’t have any more helped.”

Jessica, who works as an office manager, was crowned champion after impressing the judging panel with four poses showing off her body strength, which she nurtured through intense weight training and a strict diet plan.

She said: “I trained twice a day, seven days a week. I definitely had to push myself, because I was working full-time as well.

“All my meals are protein-based, accompanied by a lot of green vegetables.

“You have to be very healthy. It’s a lifestyle for me now.”

Jessica now qualifies for the UKBFF British Championships, which will take place in Nottingham in October.

She said: “I’ll be going up against the UK’s best bikini champions. I think I’ll win!

“You’ve got to believe in yourself. You can’t go on stage thinking you’re going to lose!”