LIFE is scuba-super for a Bolton woman who is making a big splash for charity.

Leah Bradbury, aged 25, of Little Lever, only learned to dive earlier this year – and has already won her way into the finals of the Miss Scuba UK competition.

It is the latest challenge the former cruise liner shop worker has set for herself as part of a drive to help raise money for retired former servicemen recovering from post traumatic stress disorder.

And although she was not chosen as the UK winner in Sheffield last weekend, she is determined to carry on with her new hobby – as well as keeping up her fundraising for the charity.

Leah who has raised £714 towards her £1,000 target, plans a five-day kayak challenge in Scotland next month for the charity Deptherapy, which helps ex-military personnel to learn to scuba dive to aid their recovery from depression and mental health challenges.

She explained: “The charity offers different courses to help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and for those people who have lost limbs to experience weightlessness and the peaceful and calming atmosphere under water.”

Leah, who spent three years travelling the world aboard cruise ships, has visited most places on the planet has become a keen conservationist.

During her time in Scotland next month, she will also participate in her second love, the Great British Beach Clean, by collecting samples and information on how pollution affects marine life for a marine conservation project.

She added: “I have set up a petition for people to set a challenge for themselves to cut single-use plastics out of their life which has reached several different countries.”

Leah’s dad Gareth is chairman of the Bolton Community Kitchen.

If you wish to sign her petition to cut out plastics go to: www.thepetitionsite.com/en-gb/638/542/223/the-final-straw-the-fight-against-single-use-plastics/

If you wish to support her kayak challenge to raise money for ex-military personnel go to: JustGiving.com/4daykayak