SAPPER Lucy Reed put in an impressive performance at an Army ski championships in the French Alps.

Lucy, of Burnley, was one of almost 300 servicemen and women stationed with the British Army in Germany to take part in the 1 (UK) Armoured Division individual and team ski championships.

Over the nine days of the event they were pushed to the limits in a series of gruelling cross-country and Alpine races.

Lucy, who is serving with 21 Engineering Regiment based in Osnabruck, Germany, was taking part in her first season of Nordic competition.

The cross-country skiing is considered to be one of the most aerobic of all sports requiring superb levels of fitness and ended with a patrol race in which competitors had to ski, walk, climb and shoot.

The former pupil of Mansfield High School, Brierfield, picked up three bronze medals in the junior event at the Royal Engineers Ski Camp championships in Sweden.

She said: "I really like Nordic skiing because of the fitness, it's something different and very challenging."

Lucy has been in the Army for two and a half years and has served or trained in the UK, Germany, Sweden and Oman.