IT was second time unlucky for a triathelete who was stung by a wasp in the face during a race in America.

Heather Wells, finished in 27th place out of 72 in her age group in the Florida Ironman Triathlon on November 6 despite biting a wasp when she was eating an energy bar.

The 40-year-old, a member of the Tri Preston/Hewitt Cycles club based at South Ribble Tennis Centre, had already swum 2.4 miles in the event.

It was a test of her endurance when she was stung by the wasp while she was trying to complete the 112 mile bike ride and still had to face a full marathon. But a heroic effort kept her going to finish the race in 12 hours and 22 minutes.

Dave Rigby, friend and fellow runner, said: "I was so proud of her.

"She must have been in a lot of pain but she carried on and she did really well to even finish, never mind come 27th."

Heather, an accountant, is no stranger to this problem. She was stung in the eye by a wasp in a half Ironman Triathlon held in Dorset in August when she was only 30 miles in to the bike ride element. Mr Rigby said: "She was riding along and a wasp got caught under her riding goggles.

"It couldn't get out and it stung her around her eye. She was in quite a bad way when she finished the race

"I'd been e-mailing her during the three weeks when she was out in Florida and I couldn't believe it when she told me it had happened again.

"But I knew she would have been okay and I was right. It's a fantastic achievement."