LARA CROFT - TOMB RAIDER: NEW LARA CROFT CHOSEN

TOMB RAIDER: NEW LARA CROFT CHOSEN

The new face of computer games heroine Lara Croft has been chosen by Tomb Raider publishers Eidos.

Alison Carroll, a championship-winning gymnast, has been chosen to represent the franchise, following in the footsteps of Karima Adebibe, Lucy Clarkson, Rhona Mitra, Lara Weller and Nell McAndrew.

As the new Lara, Carroll will be taking part in an SAS survival exercise, as well as combat and semi-automatic weapon firing courses in eastern Europe.

After this come the modelling assignments, TV advertisements and PR appearances

"This is a fantastic opportunity and I am really looking forward to embracing Lara's world," Carroll enthused.

"I still can't believe they chose me to take on the role of Lara – and I can't wait to get stuck in. This is my dream job – I have always wanted to be an action hero and hope to be able to use my gymnastic ability to perform all of Lara's stunts. It is slightly daunting but I am really excited at the same time."

"With her tremendous athletic ability, dance training and striking look, we feel Alison embodies all the assets required to be the live model of Lara Croft, and we are really looking forward to working with her," said Sarah Hoeksma, group marketing director at Eidos.

The next game in the Tomb Raider franchise, Underworld, is due out on November 21st this year.