CHAMPIONSHIP rower Carole McNally has powered her way to success in the sport - without going anywhere near the water!

For the serving police officer has become a force to be reckoned with in the world of indoor rowing after buying a machine in her quest to keep fit.

Since then, she has struck gold and silver in national and international competitions, as well as taking part in sponsored events to raise money for Manchester children's hospitals.

And the Bury woman overcame the pain barrier when she completed a Grand Prix race in Scotland with a broken leg in plaster after slipping on ice in December. The injury has forced her out of the World Championships scheduled to be held in Boston later this month. But nevertheless, she hopes to travel to the USA as a spectator if she is sufficiently fit.

Carole, who is married with two stepdaughters, said: "In August 2003, I sat on a Concept rowing machine and I've been hooked ever since. They cost around £1,000 but you can pick up a machine for around £600. I wanted to keep fit and indoor rowing has benefits for the muscles as well as aerobic values. It's nearly as good as swimming.

"Top rowers like Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent use these machines all the time for their training. Actually, it's very much like pulling in water."

In just a short space of time the police constable, who serves in the Burnley area, has established herself as a successful competitor in the thriving sport of indoor rowing.

Remarkably, in her first-ever European Championship event held in Amsterdam two months ago, Carole rowed away with a silver in her age and weight category. She also achieved a creditable seventh position in the coveted British Championships 2004, having finished in 11th place the previous year. And in the Welsh Championships, she struck gold and silver.

Carole enhanced her ever-growing reputation as a leading light in the sport when she took silver in her class in the UK's Grand Prix series, in which the best four placings out of six races dictates the final medals table.

The last meeting was held in Motherwell after Carole had sustained her broken leg. Despite the injury, the brave policewoman decided to take part.

"I had a plaster on my foot which was resting on a cushion during the competition. But hopefully, the plaster should be off within the next two weeks."

She explained: "The races are mainly over two kilometres. All the rowing machines - there could be up to 100 at any one time - have a computer and these are inter-connected to a giant screen. And the first to finish wins."

Apart from the competitive aspect of the sport, Carole is undertaking sponsorship rowing to raise money for charity. While in Amsterdam last year, she organised a team for a relay race and roped in fellow rowers to compete in fancy dress. Thanks to her efforts, she has raised around £1,000 for children's hospitals in Manchester. And in April, she plans a gruelling 100-kilometre race to raise yet more cash.

"That might take nine or ten hours to complete. At the moment, I train six days a week," she added. "I want to get sponsorship as well as finding a good venue for the event."

She is a member of the Oarson Rowing Club, which includes like-minded rowers from all over the country who meet up and swap ideas.

Carole stressed there is much more to the sport than just the competitive edge. "I've met wonderful people, raised cash for charity and obviously got myself fitter. It's also allowed me to travel abroad."