When Christine Smeaton decided to walk "home" she did not quite imagine the task she had set herself.

The 71-year-old, who has lived in Whitehaven for 50 years, decided to walk back to her original home at Wallsend to raise money for charity.

She took up the challenge for an 84-mile trek after a more moderate walking holiday was cancelled because of the pandemic.

Her epic journey took her from Bowness-on-Solway, a walk that took her nine days to complete.

"It was very tiring. On the second to last night I just wanted to cry. I didn't want to go on but I did and I am glad."

She was averaging 10 miles a day but the last stretch, into Newcastle, was 15-and-a-half miles.

Mrs Smeaton originally just planned to walk to challenge herself but then decided to use the long trip to raise money for Safety Net (UK) who support people affected by rape, exploitation, sexual and domestic abuse in Cumbria.

She has made £275 but is still taking cash or online donations which can be made by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/christine-smeaton-2020