Temperatures may have plummeted to as low as -40c, but things are heating up for a Dorset marathon challenger.

Laura Jones, from Shaftesbury, overcame extreme Arctic conditions to battle her way across 26.2 miles of sheet ice, snow and even a frozen river as she completed a race across Canada's relentless Yukon territory.

The 29-year-old, who last year had never fun further than 5k, set herself the I Can Run 7 challenge to complete seven marathons in seven continents within a year, to raise money for charity.

After finishing the Canadian race alongside her husband Rhys, she now has her sights set on her final marathon in Kilimanjaro on Sunday, March 4, after already completing events in London, Everest, Patagonia in Chile, Rottnest Island in Australia and Seattle.

Laura described the Yukon race as "brutal", adding: "I expected a tough day, and I wasn’t disappointed. The snow gave way slightly on every footstep, which activated a lot of muscles that don’t get used very often.

"It was impossible to prepare for the temperatures too – I’ve never felt anything like it, my entire face mask froze up including my eye lashes! When the temperature hit -40c, I found it difficult to function because I always suffer with cold hands, and they were completely useless in those temperatures, even with my warmest mittens. But Rhys was on hand to look after me, lend me his spare layer and give me hot drinks and snacks."

She said it was "magical" to share the marathon with her husband, and the pair crossed the finish line hand in hand.

Throughout her I Can Run 7 challenge, Laura has raised more than £6,000 for her chosen charities - The Jonny Wilkinson Foundation and The Scouts. To keep up to date with her journey, or to donate, visit icanrun7.com