PENSIONER Joan Shaw became the first person to conquer the hazardous 335-mile Hope House Walk on Saturday.

Rated the sixth longest walk in Britain by the Ramblers Association, Joan, aged 68, of Wistaston, completed the month-long trek.

Along the way Joan, of Green Lane, collected over £2,500 for Hope House Hospice.

Mrs Shaw said: "There was some hard walking, a lot of climbing, big hills and some parts were quite remote but I got plenty of support and thoroughly enjoyed it.

"I was walking at least 11 miles a day but I never thought of quitting."

Her inspiration came from a child she knew who died at the hospice.

She said: "At that time I realised what a wonderful place the hospice is and wanted to help."

Friends from South Cheshire, Crewe and Nantwich, and Pallago walking clubs joined Mrs Shaw en-route for sections of the hike, which took her through Shropshire, Hertfordshire, Wales, ending in Wellington.

Cllr Keith Cafferty: "This was a mammoth task and at points she was exhausted. But Joan always carried on with a smile."

Keen walker Joan is already planning her next expedition this weekend.

The new route - Walk the Hope House Way - is available from Hope House shops.