BETHANY Shaw found out she had landed a coveted Olympic job while sipping coconut water on Bondi Beach in Australia.

Today (Wednesday) the Lydney personal trainer she will be on duty for the first time as a first aider at the practice for the opening ceremony.

Bethany, of Primrose Hill, applied for role as an Olympic volunteer back in September 2010.

She said: "I wanted to be part of the event of the century and I put myself forward for anything.

"I trained as a lifeguard at Lydney pool and because of my background in life-guarding and as a personal trainer I was considered as a first aider on the Olympic Park.

"I'm working in a voluntary capacity but it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"One of my proudest moments was picking up my uniform I shall wear it with pride."

Bethany spent a year in Australia and while she was there she had two hour-long phone interviews at midnight because of the time difference.

The self-employed personal trainer said: "I had still not had any confirmation of my position in February.

"Eventually, on a sunny March morning on Bondi Beach, I checked my e-mails.

"My confirmation came through while drinking coconut water in a Japanese restaurant with my best mate.

"I was totally overwhelmed and cried uncontrollably."

Bethany said she has taken days off from work at Club Ginger in Lydney to attend training days.

She added: "I visited the park last week and was in complete awe of the Olympic Stadium.

"I will work helping members of the public for the entire Games – knowing that 20,000 people applied for my position and 4,000 made it is amazing."