Ambitious Ann takes leap of faith

Even if Addleshaw Booth & Co lawyer Ann Danson does not make it to next year's Commonwealth Games in Manchester - which Addleshaws is both advising and sponsoring - her firm is certainly getting its PR worth out of her.

Her latest publicity shot follows her adding the AAA outdoor long-jump title to the indoor title she secured earlier in the year.

However, her winning jump of 6.15 metres was 23cm below her personal best, and 25cm below the distance that will guarantee her automatic selection for the games.

Ms Danson, a private client solicitor, has not been selected for this week's world championships in Edmonton, Canada, but will turn out for Great Britain in an international competition against France this weekend.

She says she intends to retire after the Commonwealth Games, when she will be 31.

She tells Obiter that appearing at the games 'would be a wonderful finale to my career'.

And an excuse for countless more publicity pics, Obiter fears.