The Oxford Times reporter Emma-Kate Lidbury is off to the World Triathlon Championships - thanks to support from businesses across the county.

Ms Lidbury, 27, will be representing Great Britain for the second time when she races at the championships in Hamburg, Germany.

This year she has once again secured sponsorship from four Oxfordshire companies - Witney-based telecommunications company STL Communications; Chase Financial Services in Baynards Green, Bicester; Savills estate agents and The Oxford Times's parent company Newsquest Oxfordshire.

She has also had continued support from sports injury expert and osteopath John Gibbons, of Peak Sporting Performance.

He is the official osteopath of the Oxford University boat crew and has worked with Ms Lidbury throughout the season to ensure she keeps injuries at bay after suffering a foot complaint last summer.

Ms Lidbury flies to Germany on Tuesday ready to prepare for the race next Sunday.

She said: "It's going to be a tough race, but it's one I've been working towards all season.

"It's going to be a great honour to be wearing the GB kit again and I'm hugely grateful to my sponsors.

"Their support has not only allowed me to get out to Hamburg but also prepare for the race in the most professional way possible."

Ms Lidbury raced at the world championships in Lausanne, Switzerland, last year when she finished eighth in the women's 25 to 29 age group.

Brendon Cross, managing director of STL Communications, said: "We are very proud to support Emma-Kate again and wish her well in Hamburg."

Dave Marler, managing director of Chase Financial Services, said: "We're pleased to be backing Emma-Kate and wish her every success."

Giles Lawton, director of Savills, said: "We hope everything goes well for Emma-Kate in Hamburg and we're delighted to be able to offer her sponsorship once again."

Tom Mitchell, Newsquest Oxfordshire's publishing manager, said: "We wish Emma-Kate every success in Germany and are delighted to be supporting her again."

Ms Lidbury, a member of triathlon club Oxford Tri, qualified for her place in the Great Britain team at the Shropshire Triathlon in June and has made the squad for the championships next year, which will be held in Vancouver, Canada.

She has been training between 10 and 15 hours a week since January and only took up triathlon in 2005 when The Oxford Times sponsored the inaugural Blenheim Triathlon.

She recently won a trip to the Noosa Triathlon in Australia, which takes place in November, after winning the women's amateur race at the London Triathlon.