Walsall's Ellie Simmonds to guest edit BBC Radio 4 show Woman's Hour

Simmonds, 22, from Aldridge in Walsall, has signed up to guest-edit BBC Radio 4 show Woman's Hour.

She follows in the footsteps of JK Rowling, Dame Kelly Holmes and Mary Berry who have all taken over the programme in the past.

Five-time Paralympic champion Simmonds, who is returning to full-time training after taking a year out, will talk about travelling, the importance of ocean conservation and her experience of volunteering with the Brownies.

She said: "I feel so lucky to have taken a year out of competing to travel and see the world, but I can’t stay away from the pool, so it’s back to full-time training now

"It’s great to have a chance to talk about my time travelling solo - my confidence has grown and it has brought out the best in me. I feel like I’m in control and I can do what I want to do.

"I’m so proud and grateful to have been asked to be a guest editor on this year’s Woman’s Hour Takeover week and I'm told I’m the youngest to do so – I’ll definitely add that to my list of achievements. It’s an incredible show and I feel honoured to be part of it.”

Her show will air next Tuesday, June 27, between 10am and 11am.

Also guest editing the show next week, as part of Woman’s Hour Takeover week 2017, is Fresh Meat actress Zawe Ashton, children's writer Shirley Hughes, the president of the Royal Academy of Engineering Dame Ann Dowling and the chairwoman of media agency MediaCom Karen Blackett.

Karen Dalziel, the editor of Woman's Hour, said: "I'm excited that once again we have five remarkable women to guest-edit Woman's Hour. Each has chosen issues they care about deeply, from ocean conservation to costume design, and I'm sure they'll connect with our listeners in a warm and meaningful way.

"By sharing their personal interests and passions, we learn so much more about these well-known and influential women."