Terminal cancer sufferer Jane Tomlinson ended four incredible years of charity efforts yesterday as she surpassed her £1m target.

The achievement comes four years after doctors told her that her cancer was going to kill her - and she might only have months to live.

The 40-year-old mother-of-three has faced some gruelling challenges in her fundraising campaign -with the "ultimate" challenge last month seeing her complete the full Ironman competition in Florida.

"There's been times when it's been very difficult and hard but my overwhelming emotion is - I'm glad I did it," she said yesterday as she revealed the fundraising total had reached £1,150,000.

She broke down in tears as her husband, Mike, 43, paid tribute to her efforts.

"We couldn't have done this without Jane being quite selfless over the last three years and achieving things which are practically unimaginable," he said, wiping tears from his eyes.

"I don't think anyone, including myself, appreciates what Jane has done.

"Four years ago, she was two days away from death and contemplating giving up treatment. If there's ever a story of what can be achieved in your head as opposed to the body, this is it."

Mrs Tomlinson was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990 at the age of 26. She underwent a mastectomy and went into remission.

Ten years later, she was told the cancer had returned, spreading to her lungs and bones. Doctors could not estimate whether she had months or years left. All they knew was that the cancer was incurable and would spread.

Mrs Tomlinson said she originally set only a modest target for her fundraising but, after being overwhelmed by the public's support, her husband set a goal of £1m.

She said: "We started three years ago by wanting to raise £500 and I'm glad Mike didn't set a bigger target. It's a relief to have got a million as I don't want to know what he'd have had me doing next."

She joked that looking back over the numerous challenges she had taken part in was a memory of pain, but said she was proud of her achievements, which saw her cycle 3,650 miles, run 278 miles and swim 10.5 miles.

"Maybe, given the chance to do this again, I wouldn't have done it so publicly. It's put a lot of pressure on me, and this isn't really me. Doing this makes me feel quite ill."

Mrs Tomlinson, a paediatric radiographer, said the support of her family and the public had driven her on.

The money is to be split between four charities - Macmillan Cancer Relief, Sparks, The Paediatric Acute Service and Hannah House.

A Sparks spokesman said: "Jane's achievement is quite remarkable. While it might have looked like Mission Impossible to so many people, impossible is a word that doesn't really seem to exist in the Tomlinson lexicon."

Mrs Tomlinson pledged to carry on fundraising, but insisted her gruelling challenges were now over.

"There's still an important job to do - people are still suffering from cancer and we will try and do as much as possible but I won't be doing any more events."