A WOMAN who has only been in training for a year-and-a-half has been judged the second strongest in the world.

Gemma Taylor, from Bagby, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, came second in the World's Strongest Woman competition, held in Northern Ireland.

She is already the UK and British strongest woman, and was competing for Great Britain.

Miss Taylor, 21, beat Jill Mills on the way to her silver medal. Ms Mills was one of the favourites and has been the world's strongest woman twice before.

Miss Taylor also beat British shot putt champion Julie Dunkely and world arm wrestling champion, Josee Morneau, who have both been training for more than five years.

She said yesterday: "I'm so delighted - it has only now sunk in. I beat the favourites, Jill Mills, from America, and Anna Rosen, from Sweden. These girls have all come from powerlifting and weight lifting back grounds. It was an awesome competition."