A WOMAN will tackle an Arctic trek with eight huskies next year.

Sharon Whitfield, of Highside Road, Heighington, near Darlington, will march for 35km a day for six days from March 18, a few hundred kilometres north of the Arctic circle.

She will be part of a team of ten led by Jason De Carteret, who has led trips to Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Alaska and Greenland.

Alongside Mrs Whitfield will be eight huskies, and she hopes to raise money for Battersea Dogs Home.

She said: "I am looking forward to it. We have got huskies of our own and thought it was an experience of a lifetime and a good way to raise money for a good cause."

As well as aching legs, she will have to contend with freezing conditions -temperatures are 15 below at night and five below during the day. She said she would also miss her own dogs, which will be at home with her husband, Ivan.

She said: "He would love to go, to be honest, but one of us has to stay and look after our pets."

She has been set a target of raising £2,700 for the charity and is hoping local people and businesses will sponsor her.

Forms are available from the Wilson Veterinary Group, in Bishop Auckland, on (01388) 602707.