SUPER-FIT Suzy Degazon has transformed herself into one of the world's top athletes - after she almost died weighing just four-and-a-half stones.

Ms Degazon is now one of the best triathletes in the world, but for ten years she battled with anorexia and at one point doctors told her anguished relatives she would die.

During a nightmare decade which started in her late teens, Ms Degazon, now 38, was admitted 17 times into mental institutions throughout the North-East and North Yorkshire.

In the end, she was forced to leave Britain 12 years ago in a last desperate effort to get her life back on track.

In 1993, she entered her first triathlon when she saw others competing.

Ms Degazon, from Middlesbrough, said: "Some of my friends were doing triathlons and I thought, swimming, running, cycling - I can do that. I had anorexia for a period of ten years, and in that time I had 17 admissions into mental institutions. I just hope I can be an inspiration to others.

"If I can do anything to help people and show there is life other than sitting in a bed with tubes up your nose, then I'll tell my story and do what I can.

"When I had anorexia I was in bed for three months at a time. I couldn't even walk to the bathroom.

"If I can come back from that and do this, then anyone can."

Ms Degazon is back in Britain visiting friends and family in the North-East.

This year she hopes to take part in the world championships in Quebec and returns to Puerto Rico later this year to have her amazing achievements honoured at a special race event.