A YOUNG grandmother raised more than £2,500 for charity by completing a trek in Vietnam.

Teacher Lesley Mullen, from Newton Aycliffe, had an eventful start to the year. As well as finishing her Vietnam adventure, the 44-year-old became a grandmother when her daughter, Wendy, gave birth to a baby girl, Chloe Louise.

Mrs Mullen, who is ladies' vice-captain at Woodham Golf and Country Club, has raised £2,680 for Scope with her six-day trek along jungle and mountain trails.

The teacher at Tudhoe Grange Comprehensive School, Spennymoor, said: "We found the villagers very courteous and polite, and they gave us a warm welcome."

The party of 60 hikers, from all parts of the UK, was accommodated either under canvas or in native long houses.

They were accompanied by local guides and elephants along the trek route.

The party flew to Bangkok, in Thailand, then on to Ho Chi Minh City. After a brief stay they then flew on to Pleiku for the trek.

This is Mrs Mullen's second big fundraising effort. She also raised £2,100 for Mencap on a sponsored cycle ride along the River Nile, and now is hoping to do another event in two years' time.