Wheelchair athlete delivers World Cup whistle

Lexi Chambers has already set five world records, including fastest time from Lands End to John o' Groats by a female wheelchair user

A Devon woman has delivered the match whistle for the opening game of the Women's Rugby World Cup - potentially breaking a wheelchair world record in the process.

Lexi Chambers, from Exeter, completed 10 ultramarathons in 10 days from Twickenham to Sunderland, raising money for the ChildFund Rugby charity.

She handed the match whistle to Aimee Barrett-Theron, the referee for the opening game between England and United States, which begins at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland at 19:30 BST.

A spokesperson for ChildFund Rugby said Ms Chambers' journey showed "resilience, determination, community - and the power of rugby to connect and inspire".

They said: "Lexi has done what few could imagine - and in doing so, she's ignited a movement!"

Ms Chambers, who has fibromyalgia and amputated leg, completed more than 50km (31 miles) each day.

She has already set five world records, including the fastest women's half marathon and marathon in a non-sports wheelchair, and the fastest time from Lands End to John o' Groats by a female wheelchair user.

Despite racing for 10 days straight, Guinness World Record rules mean her record attempt was for the most wheelchair ultramarathons completed in a seven-day period.

While the record was still to be confirmed, a Guinness World Records spokesperson there was no equivalent record on file.

"Lexi's the only woman we know of who has hit such incredible milestones using a non-racing wheelchair," they said.