A WEST Devon nurse has changed her lifestyle in order to undertake strict training for her first marathon this weekend.

Rebecca Harwood from Yelverton will be running the Loch Ness Marathon on Sunday (September 30), raising money for two charities close to her heart.

This is the first full marathon that Rebecca has run and she has been busy training, running with her dog, Milo.

Rebecca said she has embarked on a more healthy lifestyle in preparation for the marathon: 'I started training about three months ago and my social life now revolves around my training which I have come to love — a complete life-change for me.'

Rebecca is a nurse and works on the gastroenterology/hepatology 'Hound' ward at Derriford Hospital.

'My position is extremely varied and I have first-hand contact with patients every day that require the care and advice that I am able to provide. This can range from general awareness about different conditions related to the speciality mentioned, including signs and symptoms, providing support of newly diagnosed patients, improving quality of life to palliative care.

'It is an extremely rewarding career where there is laughter and tears from both myself and my patients. I am truly blessed to work within the area that I do and I feel that it is time that I gave something more into nursing by getting adventurous and running the Loch Ness Marathon for the British Liver Trust and Beating Bowel Cancer.'