By Tricia Jamieson

Mum-of-two and keen swimmer Georgina Baker is to be immortalised in bronze as Folkestone's mermaid.

The 38-year-old was picked by sculptor Cornelia Parker as the model for her take on the Copenhagen Little Mermaid.

Miss Parker's life-size piece will go on rocks just outside the habour wall as part of this summer's Triennial.

"I am thrilled to be picked and very excited," said Georgina, of Meadowbrook, Folkestone.

The Creative Foundation, which runs the Triennial, advertised for women to come forward as the mermaid model.

Georgina, who teaches aerobics twice a week, said: "I saw a piece in the local paper and then a flyer came through the door and I thought, why not?

"It is a lovely idea to be immortalised in bronze. My body is nothing outstanding but I represent most women's shape. Cornelia wanted someone who represents women of today."

She will have to sit "naked" in the mermaid pose for around four hours in a cold foundry while a cast is taken of her body, which Cornelia will then work from.

"I am very excited about seeing the finished product in June," said Georgina, who trained as an interior designer but now does physiotherapy for disabled people.

Equally excited are husband Chris and children Sasha, 11 and Finley, six.

"Sasha is the most excited and wants to know all about it," said Georgina. "She can't wait to see me as a mermaid."

Georgina was born in Folkestone and has lived in the area nearly all her life.

"I love being near the sea," she said. "We have everything here."

A keen scuba diver, Georgina began swimming as a baby and now swims two miles a week.

Cornelia was nominated for the Turner Prize in 1997, is a Royal Academician and was awarded an OBE last year.

The mermaid sculpture has been partly funded by UBS.

• The Folkestone Triennial runs from June 25 to September 25. For details go to www.folkestonetriennial.org.uk