A MONMOUTHSHIRE woman has been shortlisted for the 2017 UK Blog Awards for her blog ‘Girl on the River’.

Patricia Carswell, of Monmouth, has been running the blog for four years, and has been shortlisted as one of eight finalists for the Sport and Fitness category.

‘Girl on the River’ is a rowing blog Ms Carswell created after joining Monmouth Rowing Club.

She said: “My husband so sick of hearing me go on and on about rowing that he suggested I write about it, and so Girl on the River was born.

“I’ve been a member of Monmouth Rowing Club for five years, progressing from a novice to winning a silver medal at the British Masters Championships, despite still occasionally struggling with the after-effects of M.E which I suffered from in my thirties.”

Ms Carswell said she never expected to have her blog become a finalist in the national awards, and said many rowers across the UK helped her become one of the eight hopefuls.

“I’m absolutely astonished to be a finalist in the UK Blog Awards, as I thought that a niche rowing blog would have no chance of making it through, but I hadn’t banked on the power of the rowing community,” she said.

“What started as a little hobby has become a way of connecting with rowers from all over the world, and the support I’ve had is amazing.”

The theme of the of the UK Blog Awards this year is ‘Blog Hero’ in recognition of the power bloggers have to highlight products, services and individuals that catch their eye and champion them among their audiences.

“The 2017 UK Blog Awards is set to be our biggest and best yet, and we’re so excited by the shortlist of talented bloggers,” says Gemma Newton, UK Blog Awards director.