Meet the Londoner who is a real-life bionic woman.

Nicky Ashwell, 29, was born without a right hand and previously used a cosmetic prosthetic that she was not able to move.

Now she’s been fitted with what has been described as the world's most life-like bionic hand – meaning she can ride a bike for the first time.

The anatomically accurate limb developed by prosthetic experts Steeper is seen as a bionic breakthrough, using Formula 1 technology to deliver "unrivalled level of precision and natural movements".

Earlsfield resident Ms Ashwell is now getting used to being able to carry out everyday activities that most people take for granted.

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The product manager at an online fashion forecasting and trend service said: "When I first tried the bebionic small hand it was an exciting and strange feeling - it immediately opened up so many more possibilities for me.

"I realised that I had been making life challenging for myself when I didn't need to.

"The movements now come easily and look natural - I keep finding myself being surprised by the little things, like being able to carry my purse while holding my boyfriend's hand.

"I've also been able to do things never before possible like riding a bike and lifting weights."

She was fitted with the hand at the private London Prosthetics Centre in Kingston.

She said it was worth a few "funny looks" on the tube. 

She said: "It's the little things I've been noticing the most. 

"Being able to grip onto the pole on the tube and being able to get things out of my bag has been really useful. 

"I mostly get reactions on the trains to work. Some people have stared a little bit but I suppose it’s not something you see every day.

My boyfriend really likes it and has been really supportive.”

The hands do come with the option of a cover which makes them look more lifelike but Miss Ashwell says she is fine with the robotic look. 

She said: "I quite like it like this. I'm not trying to disguise it as a real hand.

“I’m happy for it to look all robotic and cool.”

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The hand acts as a bionic extension of the arm and took seven years to develop.

Weighing around 390g, it is 165mm from base to middle fingertip - the size of an average woman's hand - and contains 337 mechanical parts.

It is strong enough to handle up to 45kg - around the same as 25 bricks - and has 14 grip patterns and hand positions to allow a range of precision movements.

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Prosthetic Adviser Bruce Rattray said the hand, made specifically for women and teenagers, was the most advanced the world has ever seen.

He said: "It can do anything a real hand can do except feel. That will be the next development.

"It uses sensors to detect the brainwaves and then moves the mechanical arm.

"There is hardly any delay and the more you practice the better it gets."