THE boss of Reading's TGI Friday's bulldozed her way to first place in a company digger challenge.

Emma Gooch was among other managers of the Whitbread group, which owns the Caversham Road restaurant, who took part in the competition.

Using a digger, the 33-year-old had to knock down a wall of cans.

The challenge was organised to encourage the group's 40,000 employees to be on the lookout for potential sites to develop.

Bosses at Whitbread, which also owns Premier Travel Inn hotels, David Lloyd Leisure centres, Brewers Fayre pubs, Costa cafés and Beefeater restaurants, want to open 800 new venues across the UK in the next five years.

Staff who manage to find a suitable site have been promised a £5,000 reward for their effort.

As for Ms Gooch, she got £250 in vouchers after managing to complete the challenge - which took place in London last month - in 27 seconds.