Heckled Barnsley jogger on running magazine cover

Lindsey Swift said she was proud to be the first "real runner" on the front of the magazine

A woman who hit back at a van driver after being heckled about her weight while she jogged will appear on the cover of a running magazine.

Lindsay Swift, 26, of Barnsley, "wanted to vent a little bit" when the driver sang a rendition of the song Big Girl (Your Are Beautiful).

It prompted her to write an open letter on Facebook, which went viral and was shared more than 26,000 times.

She will feature on the September cover of the UK edition of Women's Running.

The magazine said she was the first "plus size, real-life runner" used on a cover.

It said from now on, real-life runners of "different shapes, sizes and backgrounds" would feature on all of the covers.

Ms Swift, who is a size 18, said: "I'm really thrilled that Women's Running has decided to go with real runners from now on, and I'm so proud to be the first one.

"I think it's right that society accepts people of all shapes and sizes who love their bodies and want to keep it healthy."

Lindsey Swift wrote an open letter on Facebook, which was shared more than 26,000 times

Ms Swift was out running with her boyfriend on 6 August when the male van driver slowed down to heckle her.

She said: "Usually I don't take things to heart but it is quite an embarrassing situation because there is nothing you can do to defend yourself but afterwards I felt a little bit angry about it and wanted to vent a little bit."

Her letter said: "Normally I don't get militant about these things, idiots are idiots."

"However, I can see why comments like these might put a person less confident than me off from running, and that is shameful. Everyone starts somewhere."

It continued: "[But] if my fat arse running (quite slowly I might add, I was shattered) offends you and spoils your journey, try driving with your eyes closed, into a lamppost."

Ms Swift said she started running to get fit rather than lose weight.

Women's Running editor, Elizabeth Hufton, said: "The response she's had from around the world shows that women are tired of being judged by their shape and speed when they're out doing the sport they love."

The magazine goes on sale on 24 September.