A computer sales executive has just completed a gruelling 300-mile Arctic challenge.

Wendy Hutchison took charge of a team of five huskies for the five-day haul across the frozen wastes of the Arctic Circle in Norway.

They braved temperatures that plunged below -20C to raise money for the Dogs Trust which has a centre at Shoreham.

Miss Hutchison, 38, of Nevill Road, Hove, is usually more at home with her daily commute to London where she works for computer firm IBM.

She decided to take up the challenge for the Dogs Trust which she has supported since her parents adopted a rescue dog.

Miss Hutchison said: "I am not in a position to own a dog at the moment as I live in a flat and work long hours in London.

"I saw this challenge as a great way of raising funds for the trust as well as seeing a different side to the pampered pooches we all know and love.

"I have come away with a great respect for working dogs.

"They are so intelligent and picked up my commands in English within a dayand- a-half."

She sledded 20 miles a day during the trip last month and was responsible for feeding, harnessing and caring for her team of huskies.

She said: "The accommodation was basic and I had to carry food supplies, chains and harnesses in my sled.

"It was a an incredibly hard slog - physically much harder than trekking to base camp at Mount Everest.

"I fell off the sled several times, was dragged along and got run over by another sled. The dogs ran off when I was trying to get my sled out of a deep snowdrift.

"I had to wade through waist-deep snow all the way up to the top of a flipping slope where they were waiting for me.

"Before I went I did a 20-mile training yomp over the Sussex Downs and several 13-mile walks. Pushing a shopping trolley full of bricks up the Downs while wearing a sleeping bag would have been more appropriate training."

Miss Hutchison, who lost 10lb during the trek, said she was worried about the dogs' welfare before they started out but their enthusiasm for pulling the heavy sled quickly allayed her fears.

She has raised £1,368 of the £2,000 she needed to take part in the challenge and appealed for more sponsors.