A WORLD record-breaking free-diver has been nominated for a 'fun fearless female' award by a national magazine.

Sara Campbell, a former pupil of Bancroft's School in Woodford Green High Road, is in the running for Cosmopolitan's Ultimate Women of the Year Awards 2009.

The nomination is in recognition of her rapid emergence in the dare-devil world of free diving – descending to extreme depths without the aid of breathing apparatus – after only taking up the sport in 2006.

After breaking a string of national records, Sara took the world crown in 2008 with a dive of an incredible 96 metres – equivalent to the height of St Peter's Tower, home to Big Ben, next to the House of Parliament in central London.

The feat was made all the more remarkable because Sara had previously had 14 months out of training following the death of her mother.

Next, Sara, who now lives in Surrey, has her sights set on breaking the world record again at this November's world championships in the Bahamas and perhaps breaking the 100m barrier as well.

The awards' ceremony will take place at Banqueting House, Whitehall in London on November 11.