A Milford Haven mum has earned a place in the starting line-up of the John Smith's People's Race on Grand National day at Aintree.

Farmer Lynda Evans, aged 45, is one of the final Aintree Ten' who have won a place to ride in the 2008 John Smith's People's Race on April 5.

The event offers ten members of the public the chance to ride in a charity nine-furlong flat race at Aintree on grand national day.

"I could hardly contain myself when I found out that I'm going to be riding at Aintree in front of thousands of people including a lot of my family," said Lynda, who is racing for Racehorse Sanctuary and St Lukes Hospice, and recalls: "I never dreamt that I would get there, but I have and I'm in it to try and win!"

Thirty-two riders were selected from thousands of applications for the training stage of the competition and assigned a professional trainer who put them through an intensive training programme.

With only ten places on offer in the race, the contenders faced their final challenge on March 16, when an expert judging panel - including BBC racing presenter Clare Balding - once again put them through their paces.

The judging panel made their final decision based on individual riding ability, technique and stamina.

The final ten jockeys will be racing to collect £5,000 for their chosen charity, and the winner of the John Smith's People's Race will collect £50,000 for their charity plus a five-star trip for two to Dubai for racing's 2009 World Cup.