An estate agent has ditched her job with the dream of becoming an Olympic weightlifter.

Sutton-based Sunny Brar’s weightlifting career is just 10 months old, yet she is already British No 2 in her category.

Previously employed as an estate agent, Miss Brar, 25, worked up to 12 hours a day before attending training classes in the evening.

It was an impossible lifestyle that led her to realise she must choose between her career and sporting aspirations.

She chose the latter, quitting her day job in order to try to realise her dreams.

Miss Brar said: “I have tried my hand at loads of sports but I wish I had tried weightlifting sooner.

“If I had started earlier I could have represented England at the Commonwealth Games.”

Her coach at Sutton and Epsom Weight- lifting Club at Sutton Arena, Phil Nourse, said: “When she came down I knew straight away she was a natural.

“She would have definitely got into the Commonwealth Games if she had started earlier.”

Despite having gained several sponsorship deals Miss Bar has certainly suffered financially through her commitment to the sport.

Coach Nourse said: “Compared with other sports such as cycling, weightlifting receives almost no financial backing and the Olympics have made it even more difficult.

“The implications of having it here means the funding is cut further – it is very frustrating.

“Our club gets nothing whatsoever, so without the facilities at Sutton Arena we would not exist”.

Miss Brar admitted, despite initial misgivings about the sport she would encourage anyone to try it out.

She said: “It would be great if a lot more people could get involved.

“When I first heard about weightlifting I was not sure, but now I would recommend it to anyone.

“I think I could have gone far in my job, but that is one of the sacrifices that I have had to make.”

Sutton and Epsom Weightlifting Club meets at Sutton Arena on Wednesdays and Sundays, email Phil Nourse at phil@total-conditioning.co.uk for more information.