A fitness fanatic who was told she would never train again after undergoing two lots of surgery on a serious shoulder injury has become the first female winner of Ninja Warrior UK: Race For Glory.

Beth Lodge, who grew up in Sevenoaks, spoke of her joy after winning the sixth series of the hit ITV show, the final of which was aired on Saturday.

The 29-year-old DNA scientist had been injured when she fell while taking part in the fifth series and has spoken about how she was determined to recover.

She proved her shoulder was more than up to the demands of taking on the show's obstacle course, making history in the process.

Beth, who went to primary school in Sevenoaks before moving to Tonbridge Grammar School, admitted being on the verge of tears when host Rochelle Humes asked what winning meant to her.

"It feels incredible to win," she said. "It meant so much."

During a three-year break from competitions and throughout the Covid lockdowns, Beth made it her goal to recover from the injury she had suffered after doctors warned she would never compete again at the level she had previously.

She continued: "Winning was the biggest validation that I'm still capable.

"I'm starting to believe a bit more that I am good enough. Everything went to plan and better than I could have hoped.

"To be the first [woman to win] is absolutely amazing, it's a dream come true."

A highlight was getting to take on Mount Midoriyama – a 22-metre rope climb.

Beth added: "That is the one constant in all the races around the world so even just getting to attempt it is an honour and then to come out and being able to say I am the champion is unbelievable really."

As well as being crowned the first female champion, she also won £25,000 and a new car. It was the first time the show has ever awarded a prize.

It comes at a good time, as Beth and her partner Arran, who now live in Oxfordshire, are renovating their home.

They'd planned their bathroom and were putting it together in stages.

"Having a sudden £25,000 has meant we're actually able to buy everything and do it in one go," said Beth.

Her dad, Marc, from Lamberhurst, was full of pride.

"If I could go back-to-back that would be incredible but you know there is fierce competition out there, so it's not going to be easy..."

He said: "She is a bright, very thoughtful, fit young lady and my wife and I are very proud of her.

"She's an achiever – when she puts her mind to it she goes out and gets it."

Arran was in Manchester watching the competition. Beth said: "He was in absolute tears.

"He gave me the biggest hug when I got down from that rope."

Far from putting her feet up, more competitions are to follow, starting this weekend with the Ninja Championships in Liverpool.

She even says she would be up for defending her Ninja Warrior UK title.

She vowed: "I'll definitely try for other seasons.

"If I could go back-to-back that would be incredible but you know there is fierce competition out there, so it's not going to be easy."