NRegan

Last updated 00:00, Friday, 25 January 2008

She has a two-hour commute and a demanding broadcasting job, but this occasional supermum wouldn’t live anywhere else but Cumbria . . .

MANY people would run a mile or two at the thought of a day in Kim Inglis’s working life.

As a presenter for Tyne Tees TV, the former Cockermouth School pupil races around the North East, bringing the day’s news to thousands of viewers, finding, editing and reporting stories, always to tight deadlines, often speaking live to the region with all the pitfalls this entails.

But she sees nothing frightening in the prospect. Quite the opposite. “I love it – I like the adrenaline to be pumping and a buzz in the air.”

Kim and her husband Steve have two children, a nine-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter, and although she has to become supermum on occasions, still manages to maintain the perfect work-life balance. And has a two-hour, 70-mile drive to work at Gateshead from Wigton each day.

Kim, whose parents Gail and Peter live in Great Broughton, began her broadcasting career at Border Television 15 years ago.

There have been huge changes in the industry. “The days of being just a face have gone,” says Kim. “You’ve got to be a good, naturally talented journalist who can do anything that is asked of you.

“When I first started the job you would have a team including a cameraman, a sound man and an electrician. Technological advances combined with cost cutting have led to big changes. For the past 10 years it has been down to the reporter and just a cameraman.”

Kim is well aware that one of the biggest potential changes at ITV could soon affect her home and working life.

The network announced last year that Border’s news operation may merge with that of Tyne Tees. Although this has left many ITV employees fearful about the future, Kim is remaining characteristically calm.

“I think what we all have to remember is that, at this point, these are just proposals. It is yet to be discussed and approved by Ofcom, and that’s a pretty big hurdle.

“In the meantime, local MPs are fighting hard to save Border. There is so much support for the station.

“It would be really sad if Border had to go because it has such a strong identity.

“I don’t think Border viewers will accept a lesser service than they’ve got now, so news teams will have to remain in Carlisle but I can’t think about the practicalities of how it would operate.”

Kim has never been attracted to London although has had her moments on national television – including a day presenting This Morning with Phillip Schofield in 2003 and a stint hosting Record of the Year with Denise Van Outen – but living in Cumbria is something she regards as crucial for her family.

“You can’t get better than the mountains and the fresh country air here.

“Sometimes the daily travelling to and from Gateshead makes it difficult, but I have something vital: a great support network.

“With a job like presenting, which is all egos and stress and pressure, it can get too much. But my family and friends give me such a stable home life.

“I can keep my work and personal life separate. The kids see me as just mummy. “They only get excited when I’m interviewing somebody like Chico or Elton John.

“Living here is perfect. I can have fun, do the job I love, and live happily ever after.”