An athlete escaped serious injury after being struck in the face by a stray fish hook while competing in a triathlon.

Liz King was 'hooked' while competing in the England Middle Distance Triathlon National Championships at Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire on Sunday.

The event consisted of a 1.9k open water swim, a 90k bike ride, finishing with a half marathon.

Liz King was racing strongly in the final discipline when the incident happened.

Liz, who lives in Woodchurch and runs for Tri Spirit in Ashford, said: “It was a freak accident and I have never experienced anything like it in 25 years competing in triathlons.

“We were running past a dam where they were fishing. There were so many runners and I don’t think he was looking when casting and the hook caught me.

“It wasn’t possible to get it out, so I asked him to cut the line and finished the last four miles with it still embedded in my face.

"The medics removed it using bolt cutters, it was a bit of a shock but I have suffered no ill effects and was back out training on Tuesday night.”

Liz finished seventh in her age-group in 6:12.59.

Stories you might have missedPensioners among five hurt as car overturns into ditchEx-teacher facing jail over child sex shameBritain's Got Talent singer to appear in court on assault chargeCheese! Gran named Britain's worst holiday photographer