A bed and breakfast boss has served up a �3,700 treat for charity after a gruelling cycle ride through Vietnam and Cambodia.

Mother-of-four Lorraine Plummer from North Walsham complete the 400k ride at the back end of last year, and has now totted up the sponsorship cash.

The owner of the Huntersmoon guest house in Field Lane tackled the challenge for the Genesis Research Trust, which works to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a range of illnesses including premature birth, miscarriage, cancer and genetic diseases.

She did it to mark reaching her milestone 50th birthday and to 'give something back.'

After a 13 hour flight, she joined the 77 riders on the Women for Women event, and had an eventful start in Saigon 'overcoming slipping gears and the pedal falling off,' she explained.

'The roads were so busy and noisy in the built up areas, scooters hooting and bustling for a space. We were certainly not prepared for this.

'The heat was sometimes overwhelming and many ladies suffered with heat exhaustion.

'The roads were lined all the way with smiling children, waving and shouting out 'hello'. Many with very few possessions and no shoes. This wonderful warm reaction towards us was so uplifting yet so humbling.'

The scenery along the route, mostly alongside the Mekong river, inlcuded paddy fields, and houses on stilts.

Mrs Plummer, now 51, was surprised at how straight the roads were – unlike Norfolk – so 'there was not the intrigue as to what was a round the corner, just miles of straight roads with pot holes and very busy.'

At the end of the five cycling days they were 'exhausted, yet buzzing with what we had achieved,' she added

'Not only had we completed a gruelling challenge, we had formed many many friendships and we are still keeping in contact.'

She thanked local people, friends and family for their support and generosity during the fundraising and added she would do it again – ' but not for a while as it is rather all consuming and I need to catch up at home.'