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Alina Jenkins joined BBC South Today as weather presenter in 2002 after presenting weather on Radio Solent and Southern Counties Radio and the early morning show on Radio Solent.

Born in Eastleigh, Alina lived in Horton Heath for 18 years. She went to Fair Oak School before leaving for the bright lights of London to study dance and drama.

Her first job after college was working as a performer on the cruise ship MV Marco Polo. She cruised around the world visiting Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Indonesia and the Antarctic where she sailed through ice fields and missed hitting icebergs by what seemed like just a few metres!

"I feel very lucky to have had such an experience, very few people get to visit Antarctica and we were some of the few members of the crew who were allowed off the ship. One of the most memorable experiences was sailing right up to the icebergs on the tenders, and seeing seals and penguins just a few metres from us on the ice, it's something I shall never forget." She then went to live and work in London for five years and appeared on stage as Juliet and on TV in Preston Front, Crime Traveller, Red Dwarf and a number of commercials. The South Coast called her back and she returned there with her husband in 1999.

Alina came to the BBC via BBC Talent. After volunteer work for Southampton's Hospital Radio, HBA Alina sent her tape in to BBC Radio Solent and was short listed as a finalist. "I very nearly didn't send my tape into the BBC because I didn't think it was good enough so I was very surprised when 2 days later I got a call asking me to come in. I remember my interview vividly. I had to present a 15 minute mock radio show, and I thought I did an awful job. I had to interview David Allen and I kept calling him by the wrong name." Although she didn't win the competition she impressed the judges and was offered a job as a travel presenter.

A few months later Alina joined the weather team and broadcast regular weather bulletins on Radio Solent and Southern Counties Radio for a year. She also undertook training with the Met Office during this time.

Most recently Alina has been presenting the early morning show on Radio Solent and she now joins the BBC South weather team where she will present two live television bulletins and 12 radio bulletins throughout the afternoon. She will also be constantly looking at weather conditions across the region and after her experiences in the Antarctic, Alina feels ready for anything the British weather can throw at her!

Outside of work Alina has a keen interest in dance and teaches Jazz and Modern and also does the odd spot of choreography. The rest of her time is taken up with her young son.

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	Alina Jenkins joined BBC South Today as weather presenter in 2002 after presenting weather on Radio Solent and Southern Counties Radio and the early morning show on Radio Solent. Born in Eastleigh, Alina lived in Horton Heath for 18 years. She went to Fair Oak School before leaving for the bright lights of London to study dance and drama. Her first job after college was working as a performer on the cruise ship MV Marco Polo. She cruised around the world visiting Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Indonesia and the Antarctic where she sailed through ice fields and missed hitting icebergs by what seemed like just a few metres! "I feel very lucky to have had such an experience, very few people get to visit Antarctica and we were some of the few members of the crew who were allowed off the ship. One of the most memorable experiences was sailing right up to the icebergs on the tenders, and seeing seals and penguins just a few metres from us on the ice, it's something I shall never forget." She then went to live and work in London for five years and appeared on stage as Juliet and on TV in Preston Front, Crime Traveller, Red Dwarf and a number of commercials. The South Coast called her back and she returned there with her husband in 1999. Alina came to the BBC via BBC Talent. After volunteer work for Southampton's Hospital Radio, HBA Alina sent her tape in to BBC Radio Solent and was short listed as a finalist. "I very nearly didn't send my tape into the BBC because I didn't think it was good enough so I was very surprised when 2 days later I got a call asking me to come in. I remember my interview vividly. I had to present a 15 minute mock radio show, and I thought I did an awful job. I had to interview David Allen and I kept calling him by the wrong name." Although she didn't win the competition she impressed the judges and was offered a job as a travel presenter. A few months later Alina joined the weather team and broadcast regular weather bulletins on Radio Solent and Southern Counties Radio for a year. She also undertook training with the Met Office during this time. Most recently Alina has been presenting the early morning show on Radio Solent and she now joins the BBC South weather team where she will present two live television bulletins and 12 radio bulletins throughout the afternoon. She will also be constantly looking at weather conditions across the region and after her experiences in the Antarctic, Alina feels ready for anything the British weather can throw at her! Outside of work Alina has a keen interest in dance and teaches Jazz and Modern and also does the odd spot of choreography. The rest of her time is taken up with her young son.

Alina Jenkins - BBC South