BRADFORD powerlifter Helen Burton is going to jail every Sunday as part of her training for next year's World Special Olympics in Los Angeles.

While most athletes are hanging up their dumbbells by the age of 45, Helen, of Buttershaw, who has Down's Syndrome, is hoping to bring back a gold medal for Britain.

A passion for ten-pin bowling turned to powerlifting after a friend introduced her to the sport at the age of 28 and she took up heaving weights with Bradford Disability Sports and Leisure which took her to her first World Special Olympics in Dublin in 2003 where she came home with a gold.

"It took us by surprise but she just took to the whole power lifting thing like a duck takes to water. She's only small at 4ft 8ins but she's incredibly strong," said mum Margaret, who along with dad Ken helps make sure Helen sticks to her demanding training and diet schedule.

"Helen's so dedicated she deserves to get a gold in Los Angeles and bring another trophy back to Bradford to add to her collection. We've got them all over the house. We're so proud," she added.

In 2006 Helen joined the Yorkshire Special Needs Powerlifting Association and ever since has gone along to weekly training sessions on a Sunday at Armley jail.

As well as the jail workout, she goes to a Buttershaw gym twice a week with her dad to keep up her general fitness.

Planet Fitness owner Nigel Almshaw said Helen is a winner: "She's very successful, she wins almost everything she competes in but it was only today her dad spilled the beans and told us she's going to Los Angeles.

"We're all very proud. She's a lovely lady, she comes in to the gym and trains hard. We've had rugby players with various teams trains here before but Helen is our first international powerlifter."

The training is only a part of her preparation for next year, she has to eat a healthy diet of plenty fresh fruit, vegetables and daily helpings of meat.

Keeping a watch of her weight is essential to keeping her in the Master 2 class, if she goes an ounce over her set weight on the morning of a competition it moves her up into the next category of lifts.

Mrs Burton said: "It's just as well we all love our fruit and veg! Just like anyone else Helen has her relapses when it comes to food but just like with her training she can't afford to relax now she's got the big games coming up next year."

Although Helen did not trial to be part of the Great Britain team for the Special Olympics in China in 2007 and Athens in 2011, she is powering ahead for Los Angeles.

"We didn't put her name forward for those games, we wanted to give someone else a chance and of course there was all the expense involved," said her mother.

"She's not had a break from the sport, she's been competing in regional and national games all this time. She's remarkable."

Most recently Helen won gold at North-East level and in a couple of weeks' time she will be competing again in a regional contest being staged at the Dubrovnik Hotel in Bradford.

Yorkshire Special Needs Powerlifting Association coach Jane Hague said: "Helen really sticks to her training programme, she's brilliant and really deserves to do well.

"She's so encouraging with everyone and cheers everyone on at competitions whether they are in her team or are friends she has met from other teams. Once you've met her she sticks in your heart, she's done everyone so proud."

News of Helen being selected for the Los Angeles games delighted her family but it will cost £2,500 to get her there - fundraising will start with a charity night at the Prince of Orange pub in Halifax Road on Friday, November 21, from 8pm.

Mrs Burton added: "The medals and trophies are great but there's more to it than that, Helen has made so many friends through the sport."