An intrepid quartet of friends are set to take on a marathon horse riding challenge as they trek 130-miles over five days for charity.

Horse lover Mia Rowell, from Brandon, said the idea to trek to the North Norfolk coast and back began as a 'day dream'.

But after six months of gruelling training and fund-raising, Ms Rowell and friends Michelle Jonas, from Watton, Kerry Hankin and Steve Brain, both from Lakenheath, will begin their challenge on July 1.

They hope to be back in Brandon on July 5 and Mrs Rowell said she expects it to be a stern test.

'It started out as a day dream and then I got looking at some maps and realised there are some amazing rides we can do.

'I think my friends thought it was going to be a nice couple of days riding, but it's going to be a marathon length every day and it will be really tough on us and the horses,' she said.

The horses - affectionately known as Jess, Manny, Dollar and Tuff - will take their riders from Brandon up through Santon Downham and Harling Drove and on to the Peddars Way.

From there they will go to Ringstead, do a loop on the coast, and head back to Brandon via Sedgeford, Gayton, West Acre, Cockley Cley, Didlington and Northwold.

The epic journey will require the riders to take on 6,000 calories a day and Ms Rowell predicts plasters 'will be well used'.

The trek will be raising money for three charities - Brooke Animal Charity, the Dogs Trust and MacMillan Cancer Support.

Mrs Rowell said MacMillan was chosen as another friend of the group had been support by the charity.

The group have been supported during their training by Rands and Wilson, who have helped with feed.

Mrs Rowell's mother, Nancy Yates, will support the team with

Are you taking on a charity challenge? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@archant.co.uk