Sheffield mum prepares for 'toughest foot race on earth' - a 250km ultra marathon across desert

Johanna Sutton, from Dungworth, will attempt to cross an unforgiving 250km stretch of the Sahara desert in scorching 50C heat during next month's Marathon des Sables (Marathon of the Sands).

The 44-year-old personal trainer and former doctor is undertaking the gruelling challenge in aid of Myotonic Dystrophy Support Group, which helps those with the muscle-wasting condition.

The ultra-marathon, taking place across six days in April, has been described by the Discovery Channel as the 'toughest foot race on earth'.

Jo, who has been in training for more than a year, said: "As a 44 year old mother of three, I feel very lucky to be fit enough to undertake such a challenge.

"I hope that the sheer scale of the event will encourage a lot of people to donate and I will be able to raise a considerable amount of money for Myotonic Dystrophy Research."

You can donate on Jo's Virgin Money Giving fundraising page.