Asthma sufferer Cherry Campbell has conquered Africa's highest mountain after years of battling against the disease.

Cherry, 30, who was born in Bracken Bank, Keighley, this week returned home from the six-day trek up Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

She completed the climb with her husband Colin, 35, two leaders and two bearers who all spurred her on to the top of the 5,900m peak.

Cherry says: "For the last 4,000 feet the climb became really difficult with severe conditions and all of us suffered from altitude sickness. It felt like you were drunk without having touched a drop of alcohol - dizzy and very light-headed because of the lack of oxygen.

"At one point we climbed for 20 hours with only four hours sleep, decked out in four pairs of trousers and seven jumpers. You just pray that you don't need to go to the toilet!

"When you finally stand on the top, you swear you will never do it again because you feel so bad and all you want to do is get off it. But it's a fantastic feeling. You really feel as though you are standing on top of the world."

Before embarking on the expedition, Cherry ran every morning for three months to ensure she was fit.

Having suffered from the allergic respiratory illness since birth, Cherry has been determined not to let it stop her from doing the things she likes best - parachute jumps, marathon runs, swimming, and diving. She adds: "I really believe you have to take your destiny and put it in your own hands because then there's nothing you can't do."

Cherry and her husband now live in Markyate, Hertfordshire. Her father lives in West Parade, Steeton and her grandmother in Oakworth Road, Keighley.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.