THE final leg of a mercy mission into Afghanistan led by a Guisborough woman has been completed.

And already grandmother Hermione Youngs, 58, is planning a repeat convoy next year.

"I keep saying to myself 'never again,' but I was already planning next year's,'' said Ms Youngs, leader of the first United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) aid convoy into Afghanistan from Pakistan since the terrorist attacks on America.

"This has become a tradition up here now," said the veteran of several aid convoys, as the first 300 donkeys and horses of the latest trek crossed the border into Afghanistan.

The string of 800 porters and animals heavily laden with clothes, food and medicine, stretched for ten kilometres.

"It is bitterly, bitterly cold," a weary Ms Youngs reported from Afghanistan recently.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to Unicef can call 08457 312312 or log on to the website www.unicef.org.u