A TEACHER is to take on a gruelling athletics challenge in honour of an "inspirational" former pupil who has cystic fibrosis.

Gareth Lane, 32, said he was taking on his first triathlon challenge after being touched by the courage of 11-year-old Natasha Harley.

The teacher at St Peter's Primary School, Darwen, said: "She is such a special girl and I wanted to give something back for her.

"She has been a true inspiration and an example to everyone."

The youngster, of Minster Crescent, Darwen, left primary school this month and will start at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School next term.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease which can cause a number of health problems including repeated chest infections.

Mr Lane will take part in the London Triathlon on August 5 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The main event involves Olympic distances of a 1,500 metre swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run.

But competitors can also choose to complete a smaller course of a 400m swim, a 10km bike ride and a 2.5km run or a 750m swim, a 12km cycle and a 5km run, which Mr Lane hopes to complete.

The event billed as the biggest in the world takes place throughout the capital.

Mr Lane, of Cornelian Street, Blackburn, said: "Natasha gets on with things and is involved in every aspect of school life, drama, sport, everything.

"She takes my breath away in everything she does so I wanted to do something to help.

"You wouldn't think she has cystic fibrosis, you would think there is nothing wrong with her.

"She leads an active and normal life, more so than able-bodied people.

"It has been a fantastic year and I am really going to miss her."

Of the challenge he said: "I am not dreading it but I am not looking forward to it.

"Every time I think about it I know the thought of her will push me that extra mile."

Today Natasha's mum, Susan John, said: "He has been brilliant and really thinks a lot of Natasha. She has had such a lovely time at the school, she made a lovely bunch of friends and didn't want to leave at all."

Susan said Natasha needs to take about 50 tablets a day for her condition.

But she said: "Natasha has done extremely well.

"She is very healthy and she has done a lot of sport like swimming and football with Mr Lane.

"She never complains about her condition, she always get on with it.

"Because she is young she has grown up with it because she was diagnosed when she was four-and-a-half."