THE NATION'S most determined tea lady stopped off in Tavistock this week for a well deserved rest from an epic bicycle journey.

Rebecca Wass, the 'Twix® Tea Lady', set off from Land's End on September 15, to begin a 934-mile cycle ride to John O'Groats in Scotland.

On her way she pedalled through Callington, stopping at Tavistock for the night, before getting on her bike the next day to aim for Princetown and across Dartmoor towards Exeter.

She is hoping to set a new world record attempt to deliver everyone a free Twix chocolate bar and a cup of tea, courtesy of Typhoo — plus raise more than £5,000 for charity during her 80 mile a day adventure.

Rebecca, aged 28 and from Norwich, is a former youth worker with socially disadvantaged children. She beat off fierce competition from hundreds of potential tea ladies — and men — around the country, to take on one of the longest tea rounds in history.

All funds raised on her ride will be going towards two radio station charities — Heart's 'Have a Heart' and Red Dragon's 'Help a South Wales Child' — both dedicated to building a better future for the children.

What makes her journey even more remarkable is that Rebecca was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a condition which causes pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons.

A determined Rebecca, who has been training in France for the past eight weeks to prepare for the cross UK ordeal, said: ' I'm determined to do what I can to overcome it and being as healthy as possible has helped with managing my condition so the Twix® Tea Tour is tailor-made for me.

'The effects on the joints affect how long it takes for the body to recover but it you have a healthy lifestyle you can manage it. This bike ride is definitely a personal challenge for me.

'Perhaps what I am doing is taking it to the extreme but I want to try and encourage people, perhaps not to go out and cycle 934 miles but at least think about doing a little exercise for the sake of their health.'

She is supported on her ride by Tom Dyer, who drives behind her in the safety van, well stocked with Twix! Rebecca thanked all the people in East Cornwall and West Devon for their encouragement.

'On my ride everybody has been so supportive, with drivers tooting their horns and people I pass wishing me luck.'

Times readers can follow her route by logging onto http://www.shareacuppawithtwix.com">www.shareacuppawithtwix.com where there is a chance to get a free Twix and teabags or to donate to her chosen charities.