A PROLIFIC rower is celebrating after winning a gold medal at a major national tournament.

Shelagh Allen, 69 and from West Byfleet, beat off stiff competition to score gold at the British Indoor Rowing Championships, held in Birmingham this month.

Competing in the women’s 65 to 69-year-olds’ heavyweight division, Mrs Allen added to her already impressive medal haul, having taken part in nine previous championships.

After returning from the tournament, held at the NIA on November 18, she said: “I have been rowing for 10 years now and this win was fantastic.

“I set a time of eight minutes and 40 seconds, after spending six months training for the competition.”

Mrs Allen, who trains at the Cannons health club in Pyrford Road, West Byfleet, added: “I held the British indoor rowing record for the over 60s for two years and fully intend to go on to hold the record for people in their 70s.”