A WINFRITH grandmother once told she might never walk again has just cycled 250 miles across the Sahara.

Catherine Hubbuck Roots, 56, completed the five-day marathon a year after her second knee joint replacement.

The independent financial adviser completed the challenge despite being involved in a serious car accident in 1995, triggering premature arthritis in her joints.

"I was told I'd probably never walk again," she said. "I couldn't accept that. I had seven operations and made a slow but steady recovery.

"I was advised a full double knee replacement may allow me to walk more freely again.

"The new knees have given me a new lease of life and enable me to be active, healthy and pain-free."

The mother of three and grandmother celebrated her recovery by and raising funds for the British Orthopaedic Foundation's Joint Action Appeal, which funds research into joint replacement.

With friend Jenny Michell, from Middlesex, she cycled 60 miles a day from Quarzazate to Marrakech in Morocco through scorching deserts and freezing rocky inclines.

She added: "This was an amazing personal challenge. I desperately want to help other people in my predicament by raising money to help make joint replacements more accessible and improved for those who need it. This is a big undertaking for me to help other people in my situation and proves that you should always fight in the face of adversity."

To support Catherine and donate to the British Orthopaedic Foundation, her chosen charity, visit justgiving.com/anneandjenny