A woman who battled back to health after a major operation is to join thousands of runners in the Great North Run later this month.

Jayne Crowther, 41, of Ryding Close, Farington Moss, Leyland, had a hysterectomy 18 months ago and took up running to regain her fitness.

On Sunday, September, 18, she will run the 13-mile race from Newcastle to South Shields in the North East to raise money for Sense, a charity which helps deafblind people.

Jayne's brother Mark Clarkson, 42, and his wife Sheila, 43, are both profoundly deaf, and have had problems with their sight.

Jayne, a soft furnishing sales director, suffered with endometriosis, a painful condition of the uterus, for 17 years before her operation.

"I always liked to keep fit, but I gave up running about three years before my operation because I felt so ill and drained," she said.

"Running helped me get fit afterwards. When I started getting fitter I wanted to set myself a target, my main aim is to run the London Marathon but I wanted to do this first."

Jayne has been visiting the gym three times a week and running eight miles a day to prepare for the gruelling half marathon.

She is hoping to complete the race within two hours and raise £600 for her chosen charity.

"My husband Keith has been really supportive, helping me to train for the race and monitoring my running times," she said. "I'm feeling confident that I'll do well in the Great North Run, I believe there's a fantastic atmosphere with all the people cheering you on."

To sponsor Jayne visit www.justgiving.com/jaynecrowther, or sponsorship forms are held behind the bar at the Wagon and Horses, Bent Lane, Leyland.