Meet the Sunderland bride who's racing to the aisle after winning fitness competition

We teamed up with Sunderland fitness specialist Tim Ford for a New Year, New You contest in a bid to give one Wearsider the chance to change their lifestyle for 2016.

After scores of entries, Alexandra Reay, 21, from South Hylton, was chosen as the winner.

She’s got a very specific goal in mind – she wants to look her best when she marries Mark Watson, 22, at St Mark’s Church, Millfield, ahead of a reception at the Quayside Exchange.

And she’s got until May 22 to make a change.

Worth about £400, Alexandra’s prize is 12 weeks of one-on-one personal training and advice with Tim, plus free use of the Fitness Bank in Douro Terrace, Ashbrooke, where the health and fitness coach holds his training sessions.

She said: “I’ve been wanting to do something, but I work 12-hour days and when I’m not working I’m planning the wedding. It’s getting closer and closer to the day and I spotted the competition on the Echo’s Facebook page.

“I never really win anything so I was over the moon when I found out. I’ve already had my first session and it’s been a real eye-opener.

“My approach to fitness before has been sporadic, but I think it will really help having someone there to offer guidance and support. Mark had been really supportive too.”

The customer service adviser for EE is hoping to slim from a size 16 to a 12, and trainer Tim, who runs Live Well Training, says it’s achievable.

“I chose Alexandra over the other entries because she had a specific goal in mind and she seemed really motivated,” said Tim. “It’s easy to look at goals as short-term, but I’m hoping to give her tools she can take away to make a difference to her lifestyle.

“If she works hard and sticks to the programme, she could potentially lose a stone-and-a-half for the wedding.

“I’m going to keep the sessions varied so she doesn’t get bored. There will be a mixture of cardiovascular and weight training.