THREE years ago, Lesley Earnshaw could not even clean her teeth without help.

The fitness enthusiast suffered from a rare lung condition which meant she could not breathe in properly.

Now, after a double lung transplant, the 52-year-old is taking part in a regional dance and exercise event.

Mrs Earnshaw has been a member of the Darlington Keep Fit Association (KFA) for almost 40 years, and this weekend she will join the adult team to compete in the KFA regional event at Eldon Square Recreation Centre, Newcastle.

She said: "It's lovely to be taking part. Before I had the transplant I couldn't do anything on my own."

Mrs Earnshaw had been suffering from a rare lung condition, known as pulmonary fybrosis, which reduces the elasticity of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

She said: "It's hard for people to understand why I couldn't do so many things, such as dress myself or climb the stairs, or even move. But when you can't breathe in properly, everything is such an exertion."

Mrs Earnshaw was housebound and needed oxygen 24 hours a day. When she did go out, she had to use a wheelchair.

But as soon as she woke up from her transplant operation, she could breathe again.

Since then she has thrown herself into her KFA routines.

Sarah Singleton, of the Darlington KFA branch, said: "She is a true inspiration. We are so proud of her."

A Youth Moves team, consisting of girls aged eight to 14 from Darlington and Bishop Auckland, will perform alongside Darlington's adult team at the event, on Saturday.

More than 20 teams from across the region will be taking part in the event, where they will perform and help promote exercise, fitness, movement and dance.

Anyone interested in joining Youth Moves, or taking part in aerobics and keep fit classes, can call Sarah Singleton on (01325) 485111.