A sprightly pensioner has raised more than £6,000 for Devon and Cornwall's air ambulances after a tractor drive across the two counties at just 9mph.

70-year-old Mary Phillips drove her orange 57-year-old Field Marshall Series 3a tractor from Hatherleigh to St Teath in North Cornwall — a journey of around 50 miles.

The journey took seven hours to complete, making Mrs Phillips 'very glad' the tractor had a comfortable seat with plenty of padding, rather than one made of iron!

She was accompanied by a number of friends and supporters, including Peter Treleaven on an identical tractor.

Mrs Phillips first made the journey last year after she had to call the air ambulance for her ill mother. She later recovered and did not need transporting to hospital, and Mrs Phillips felt she should do something to try and pay for the journey.

Last year Mary raised £4,500 for the air ambulances and said she was 'absolutely astounded' to beat that total this year.

'Our send-off from Hatherleigh was fantastic, with so many people braving the pouring rain to cheer us off. The support we got along the way was absolutely wonderful, we were offered cups of tea and even raised £400 from donations along the route.'

Any thoughts of hanging up her keys have been forgotten, with Mary already planning another similar journey next year.