A remarkable rowing marathon, covering 100 kilometres in 24 hours to raise £10,000 for charity, has been completed by a fitness fanatic from Clophill.

Rachel Armstrong, 35, is a personal trainer, a former Commonwealth Games rower for Great Britain and a member of Bedford Star Rowing Club, but admitted the marathon, which took place last weekend, had been a real challenge.

Mrs Armstrong said: "It was long and hard. I normally do 100 kilometres in a week, so to do it in a day was difficult, but I would do it again tomorrow."

In total, around 30 rowers took part in the indoor event, held at the world-famous Celtic Manor, near Newport in Wales, to raise money for Ataxia UK.

One of them, Tracey Brown, suffers from Friedreich's ataxia, an incurable neurological condition, which affects balance and co-ordination, and she is good friends with Mrs Armstrong.

Despite being wheelchair-bound since 1995, the 39-year-old Scottish rower has competed in the European and World Indoor Rowing Championships, and rowed an inspirational 50kms last weekend alongside her supporters.

Mrs Armstrong added: "I rowed five kilometres on the hour every hour and then rested for 25 minutes.

"The marathon was from noon on Saturday until midday Sunday, but in the middle of the night I moved my machine to be closer to Tracey.

"Last year she did 50kms in 24 hours, but this year you could see she was struggling after about 3kms, yet kept going, she is so inspirational.

"I feel completely shattered now, I have sore knees and a sore backside. I burned 6,000 calories over the course of the event, so would just constantly eat when I had a break."

Mrs Armstrong thinks she has raised around £1,000, and all of the money raised will be split equally between Ataxia UK and a disabled riding school close to Ms Brown's home in Gorebridge, Scotland.

Support the rowers by visiting www.justgiving.com/traceysonetonchallenge