A fell runner swapped windswept Ilkley Moor for sweltering Spain as she followed in the footsteps of pilgrims on a 500-mile trek.

Jo Prowse, pictured, tackled the pilgrim route of St James from St Jean Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago in Spain and is hoping her efforts will raise £10,000 for children with long-term illnesses.

Mrs Prowse joined Keighley Hill Runners in 1996 and since then has run for England, scooping her last title in 2002, a bronze medal in the World Masters Mountain Running Championship.

For her latest challenge she was inspired by actress Shirley Mac-Laine's book The Camino, about her attempt to tackle one of the routes on the pilgrim trail of St James.

The trail developed when, according to legend, the tomb of St James was discovered in the year 812.

It became a religious pilgrimage throughout the Middle Ages and walkers from all over the world now flock to take on the challenge.

But while most walk the Camino de Santiago, Mrs Prowse ran the hundreds of miles, over mountains, dry plains, vineyards and forests.

She was cheered by locals who nicknamed her La Corrienda - 'She who runs' - and 'La Fuerte', the strong one.

Along the way she was supported by Mike, one of her four sons, who followed her by car.

The 49-year-old completed the feat in 25 days, with five days' rest, before arriving in Santiago to receive the Compostela - the certificate which confirms the trail has been completed.

"It was an incredible experience, physically and mentally challenging," she said, adding that she had made many friends along the way and had been overwhelmed with the response

to her. "Two people stopped me and said they were moved to tears when I was running up a mountain in front of them," she said.

As a fell runner used to tackling the hills around Bradford, she was invigorated by the climbs.

As well as helping his mum, Mike recorded the journey by video and posted diary extracts for her website so her husband Laurie could follow her progress. Jo hopes to collect £10,000 for Children's Outpatients services at St James's Hospital in Leeds and thanks everyone who contributed.

The website, www.helpassist.co.uk/ camino, describes her journey and she will speak and show slides about the run at the Clarke Foley Centre in Cunliffe Road, Ilkley, on Thursday, November 6, at 7pm.

Donations to the Children's Outpatients Fund can be made by calling 0113 392 6803.