A RECORD-breaking powerlifter and librarian is getting ready for her next marathon challenge.

Katy West, of Prestatyn, who works for Denbighshire County Council's library service, will first tackle the London Marathon on April 22 in aid of Tenovus Cancer Care. The 37-year-old will then take on the demanding Snowdonia Marathon challenge in October where she hopes to raise £2000 for the charity.

The former Prestatyn High School pupil has already raised £1700 for Tenovus, having completed the Chester Marathon last year in just over four hours.

Katy came second in the Global Powerlifting Committee World Powerlifting Championships in 2015, while competing for Team GB just 18 months after her first training session.

She said: "I'm currently running around 40 miles a week combined with three strength sessions as I've found the strength from powerlifting has been really helpful for endurance.

"It's quite an exhausting schedule especially fitting it in around work. I've managed to stick to it throughout the bad weather and have run in high winds, hail, snow and ice so I'm prepared for anything.

"I've had to increase my calories and more importantly my carbohydrates to support the training, especially as I hit longer training runs. I burned 3,500 calories running the Chester Marathon and I've been stockpiling jelly beans and jelly babies to keep me going on my runs as well as making a lot of cakes."

While competing at the championships in Las Vegas, Katy’s silver medal deadlift of 155kg in the 75kg weight category equalled the world record in her age category and set a new European record.

She added: “I've seen the fantastic work Tenovus Cancer Care do, particularly with mobile treatment units allowing cancer patients in rural communities to receive treatment close to home and also the Sing With Us Choirs, which are of great therapeutic benefit to cancer patients.

"The support I received has been overwhelming, not just from family and friends but from the community."

To sponsor Katy, visit www.justgiving.com/marathonwest or drop into Prestatyn Library.