A HAMPSHIRE powerboat champion is suing the makers of BBC One's extreme game show Total Wipeout after being left with a crippling injury.

Sarah Donohue, 38, was hurt while taking part in the extreme obstacle course in Argentina.

The show, filmed in Buenos Aires, sees contestants make their way across a series of high-up obstacles that often result in a long plunge into a pool of water.

But despite being assured no one is ever injured in the show by production company Endemol, Sarah, was left with a torn hamstring just minutes into taking part.

The international powerboat racing star from Hamble, who was a stunt woman in the Bond movie The World Is Not Enough, has since been left with a damaged leg and is still in need of daily physiotherapy treatment.

"The hamstring is now 7cm short and will never be the same again.

"I've had to learn how to walk again and I have to lift my leg up from the hip," she said.

"I was told that the most anyone ever receives is a few bumps and bruises."

Sarah, who is also an international fitness competitor, is now suing Endemol for loss of earnings and over the way she was treated.

After suffering her injury in November last year she begged the producers to take her to hospital but instead was seen by a member of their onsite medical team.

"What really makes me angry is the way Endemol have treated me.

"But I am very competitive and I won't back down. I will take this to the grave."

Others to be injured on the BBC's Total Wipeout include Celebrity Big Brother contestant Cleo Rocos and Jade Goody's personal trainer Kevin Adams, who are both considering legal action against the broadcaster.

Endemol has said that "stringent measures are in place to ensure the highest standards of health an safety are met."

A spokeswoman added: "If Sarah wishes to take action, in line with standard practice, this will be dealt with by our insurers."

Former European offshore and American national champion Sarah is no stranger to suffering injury during the pursuit of extreme challenges after a near fatal accident in 1999 saw her powerboat crash at 80mph leaving her with a fractured skull, broken ribs and losing all her teeth.

Last month she was seen on TV joining Jack Osbourne and other celebrities to show them how to drive a powerful X-Cat racing boat around an obstacle course in Dubai.