NY marathon amputee set for race

Ms Forbes has been walking up lots of hills in preparation for the race

A woman who walked the London Marathon despite having both legs amputated below the knee, is making final preparations for her latest challenge.

Clare Forbes, of Crawley, West Sussex, lost her legs when she contracted meningitis four years ago but on Sunday she will attempt the New York Marathon.

The 26-mile race is notorious for being an extremely difficult hilly course.

The 21-year-old hopes her prosthetic legs will help her beat the 19 hours it took her to do the London race.

'Too fast'

According to the New York marathon rules, the course must be completed in 15 hours, so Ms Forbes will have to better her time by four hours.

"We've been doing lots of hills so it shouldn't be a problem as I've been getting used to them," the 21-year-old said.

Her mother Karen, who will be part of Ms Forbes' support team, added: "She's walking too fast for me now I can't keep up.

"For every one step of hers it'll take me two or three so I'll be left behind."