WORK is just like a holiday for Rachel Walker.

"That's what it feels like, seeing so many different places and changes each day," she said.

Miss Walker, 31, believes she is the only female trucker-removal operator in North Yorkshire.

Based with A and G Removals of Melmerby, Ripon, she can hold her own with all the chaps there when it comes to lugging furniture about - "although I haven't got the usual removal man uniform - a beer belly," she said.

She is off to Cadiz next week, driving a truck full of furniture.

"Fortunately, my partner, James, who works with me, is going with me so the trip will be extra special. It's very cosy in the sleeping cab behind the seats," she said.

Miss Walker has always been mad about driving. "I blame my Dad for this," she said. "I understand I used to travel in my carrycot in his farm wagon. I did try computer work but couldn't stand being inside four walls, so gave it up to drive trucks."

She has worked trucking in Holland so is used to continental driving. "It doesn't bother me how busy it is; even the centre of London holds no fears, I don't get stressed by traffic.

"The job is so varied, and the scenery so different. Last week we took a stand to the Chelsea Flower Show for a book company near Thirsk; we do complete house removals; a lot of shipping long-distance to Australia or New Zealand, which means getting the containers down to the ports, and some jobs, like this, taking someone's complete home contents, lock stock and barrel to the continent."

Miss Walker has two children, Alistair, ten, and Jennifer, nine. "I'm afraid they are truck-mad too," she said.

"There is one thing about this job - I don't need to go to a gym to keep fit even though I do like to tuck in at the truckers' cafs with their enormous portions," she said.

Her CB call is Lara Croft, of Tomb Raider fame. "I'm told I look like her, with my long blonde hair," she said.