AFTER months of dedication and hard work a former bodybuilding Miss World spoke of her disappointment at coming third in a national competition but vowed to compete again.

Kendal's legendary bodybuilder Helen Thwaites, devoted herself to winning last weekend's Natural Physique Association British Trained Figure Finals in West Yorkshire.

The 37-year-old has won 18 titles in a career spanning 19 years and qualified for the national event after winning the Mike Williams Classic in Batley earlier this month.

Speaking to the Gazette about finishing third, Helen said: "I'm a little bit disappointed because you want to do your best on the day. It's very subjective. You perform and it's an opinion on the day and the judges decide. I tried my best and they perceived somebody being better."

It was a bitter blow for Helen whose dedication to her sport is unrivalled.

She trains three times: before work, during her lunch break and again after work as well as sticking to a strict diet.

When she first started she would have to eat six times a day: 'little and often'.

She said: "Now my body knows what it needs and I'm the best judge of that. You can't write down the right diet for every specific person. I was lucky enough to be coached by a Mr Universe for six years so he taught me a lot.

"The attention to detail, the diet and commitment - you can't explain how much work is involved for the show.

"You train all year and everyone wants to win."

Despite her disappointment, Helen is keeping her head held high.

"I represented myself the best I could have done on the day," she said.

"I thought I looked very professional.

"A lot of girls said they respected me and saw me as an icon because I have been around for years.

"The top three were very close; I wouldn't have liked to have judged it."

Competitors go through three rounds in the competition.

They line up and do a 'quarter turn' so judges can see if their physique matches the criteria they are looking for.

Then they do an individual routine and this is what Helen is most famous for.

Helen, who works as a receptionist at Kendal's Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon Ltd, gave up gymnastics at 18 but still incorporates it in her routine by doing flips.

When she first did it several years ago it was ground-breaking but when she raised the benchmark other people liked what they saw.

"Now other people have started doing it," said Helen.

"I was the innovator and it can be a bit frustrating but the fact that they copy it is a compliment I guess."

Despite the blow of not winning the competition, the highly competitive Helen has vowed to bounce back.

"I'll come back fighting stronger if I can," she said.

Thwaites' awards over the years:

3X Miss Cumbria

3X Miss North West

4X Miss UK

1X England vs Scotland

1X Miss Pendle Valley

3X Miss Northern

2X Mike Williams Classic