Brigham athlete, Bethan Lishman, is aiming for a medal at this month's Deaflympics held in Turkey.

The 33-year-old hammer thrower will set off on Saturday for the international event while she will start competing at 5.30pm on Sunday.

It is her third Deaflympics.

Bethan said: "I'm a bit nervous. There are 17 competitors this year and there have never been that many before - it's really taken off.

"I would really like to win a medal but I don't want to stress too much about it.

"I just want to improve on last year. I want to prove that all the hard work has been worth it."

Bethan, who is head gymnastics coach in Allerdale and works in the leisure centres at Workington and Cockermouth, has increased her training schedule and taken on more varied activities to prepare for this year's event.

She said: "I've been doing ballet, aqua fit, weight lifting and throwing and even fell walking.

"I've changed it up a bit this time so I don't get bored. We'll see if it helps."

Bethan, who first compete at the Deaflympics in 2009, has received sponsorship from the Round Table and GLL, her employer.

She has also received donations through her Pledge Sport account.

Originally she thought she was going to miss out on a place due to lack of funds. However, Cockermouth Round Table stepped in at the last minute and found the remaining £400 she needed.

Three years ago Bethan had major surgery on her back and was not sure if she would ever compete again.

She was told if she didn't have the spinal surgery she might spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.

Bethan has also competed for Great Britain at the Deaf World Championship.