Teesside's Milly Grunwell originally took up weight training to be a stronger horse rider - just 10 months ago

Teesside woman Milly Grunwell has clinched her first set of bodybuilding medals less than a year after taking up the discipline. The 21-year-old said she was in shock when she won a number of golds in her first set of competitions, including the PCA British Open Junior title at the Telford International Centre.

She also qualified for the British Championships after winning a regional novice event and then went on to win three other area shows including the National Natural Bikini Junior title.

Millie, who lives in Marton, said after winning the British title she was awarded her Procard, making her a professional bodybuilder after just 10 months of taking it up. She told Teesside Live she now has the bug for it and is hoping to go on to compete at international level.

The former Nunthorpe Academy pupil is a horse rider and used to compete at national level in showjumping. Although she no longer competes, a couple of years ago she started weight training in a bid to build up her strength.

She said: "I have a horse and I just wanted to be stronger so I could ride better and just feel good about myself, so I started doing weights."

It was never the plan to go into bodybuilding, but Milly said she suddenly realised she had a lot of muscle. With support from her coach Helen Peebles she started to work on the art and became hooked.

Millie, who trains at OneGym Thornaby and at Middlesbrough Sports Village, said: "It does take over your life a bit, but you really get out what you put into it. I put a lot in and it makes me feel really good for it. I just really love it now."

On winning her medals and turning professional, Millie said: "I just couldn't believe it, I still haven't come back down to Earth yet about it, it was absolutely amazing."

She said having the backing of her coach, her family and friends and the people at the gym has been brilliant. She added: "Everyone has been so supportive."

Millie said lots of people who didn't know she was doing bodybuilding have had a big shock when they saw her photos on social media. She said: "I just go around in my hoody and joggers and people don't have a clue about it."