Jay Hairsine took part in the second leg of the four deserts foot race and was the third female and first British person to complete the gruelling 155 miles six day event.

Now back home following last month's event, the 30-year-old endured extreme weather conditions with the last three days reaching 80 to 100 degrees fahrenheit.

Miss Hairsine, who moved to Great Bowden from Lincolnshire four years ago, has raised more than £2,000, which she will donate to her home church of All Saints, in Shelland, and the Stroke Association.

"It was an absolutely amazing experience," she said, "but tough.

"I won't tell you how many blisters I've got. I was quite fortunate because, other than the blisters and a bit of dehydration, everything went great."

Miss Hairsine, who works as a finance director for a Leicester-based company, joined the Territorial Army in 2001 and was sent to Iraq in 2003 but left the army in 2005.

She completed the Chile desert race two years ago with an army friend and was hoping to complete this year's Gobi event with him but he had to pull out after day one.

Miss Hairsine, who is a member of Harborough Athletic Club and Stoneygate girls rugby club, also ran the London Marathon earlier this year and is planning to run the Dallas Marathon next year.

She is also considering whether one day to tackle the other two extreme desert races – in Egypt and Antarctica.