A HORSE rider from Hurstbourne Tarrant has completed a tough 55 mile trek though some of the most difficult riding country in the Rocky Mountains - and raised more than £2,500 for charity to boot.

Maria Grace, a 36-year-old housekeeper, has been planning the trip for a while and spent a great deal of time and effort to reach her funding target in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

"We were looked after extremely well but the terrain over the mountains in British Colombia was very, very difficult," said Maria, who is an experienced horsewoman.

"It didn't get much easier at night as the temperatures were freezing and we only had two man tents."

The journey did have its compensations as apart from the scenery Maria saw golden eagles, snakes, red squirrels and heard coyotes.

But there was no sign of the area's most dangerous creatures such as pumas and grizzly bears. Maria took up the challenge after finding out her father had failing sight and might one day need a guide dog.