A WOMEN'S Institute member and grandmother of 10 with arthritis is supporting family medical research by cycling 250 miles along Egypt's River Nile.

Jan Hartley, 64, of Bunkers Hill Close, Blackburn, is a member of Livesey WI, which meets at Feniscowles.

Despite having arthritis, she is determined to cycle along the Middle Eastern river. And the Leeds Liverpool Canal at Blackburn is where her training has begun!

She has started a daily programme of training which takes her along the side of the canal. And shortly she will be doing a longer run in the Cotswolds to build up her stamina before heading to North Africa.

Mrs Hartley, a former market stall worker at Prices' fruiterers in the old market, has lived in Blackburn for 30 years and grew up in Essex. She was a Rainbow leader for 10 years at St George's Church, Mill Hill.

Although she is not a regular cyclist she decided to undertake the challenge after being inspired by the work of a medical group.

Through a WI newsletter, she read about work undertaken by the national Wolfson and Weston Research Centre for Family Health. She was impressed with its work to help mothers, babies and infertile couples and decided to support it.

She is raising money for the London-based centre by cycling with a group including Professor Robert Winston, the genes expert, who also presents TV medical documentaries and sits in the House of Lords.

Mrs Hartley said: "I have five daughters and 10 grandchildren and thought the research centre was a wonderful cause to support. It carries out all sorts of research into various conditions and problems across the world."

Daughters Dawn, Jackie, Janis, Jenny and Jannine all live in Blackburn.

Mrs Hartley needs to raise £2,500 for the centre by August, in order to travel to the Nile in October. She is seeking financial support plus assistance with fitness training, perhaps from a local gym, which she will publicise on her adventure. She can be contacted on 01254 722503.