A blind woman is hoping to make history by leading a team of husky sled dogs above the Arctic Circle.

Lisa Dainton, 31, has been in training for eight months preparing herself for the challenge in aid of the charity National Talking Newspapers.

Mrs Dainton, of Leaf Road, Eastbourne, leaves for Kiruna, northern Sweden, on Saturday for more training with friend Maggie Healy, 52.

They will start a four-day journey to the Arctic Circle with an experienced Swedish husky leader, where Mrs Dainton will take control of a sled pulled by an eight-strong team of huskies.

To prepare herself, Mrs Dainton, who has been blind since birth, has been driving huskies in forests near Framfield, outside Uckfield, where she has learned how to harness and steer the sled.

She said: "I've already learned one golden rule - never let go of the huskies once they have got going.

"We've been advised about the huskies' excitement at the prospect of a good day's sledding.

"I think I'll need to rehearse a Swedish accent for the mushing commands."

Mrs Dainton has been looking for another challenge since raising £14,000 for charity in a parachute jump three years ago.

She said: "After the jump, people kept asking me what I planned to do next. I casually mentioned that I wouldn't mind driving a team of huskies.

"When an advert appeared in a magazine about it, I thought I had better go for it."

Mrs Dainton, who works as a studio recordist for National Talking Newspapers in Heathfield, has registered her attempt with Guinness World Records.

She said: "I want to show sighted people what blind people can do and encourage other blind people to try new things.

"I have received a lot of support. Hopefully this will encourage others in a similar position to get out and do what they want to do."

Audio diaries will be kept during the challenge, with Mrs Dainton using her digital audio equipment to record the dogs.

She has already amassed more than £2,000 in sponsorship, with colleagues dyeing their hair, competing in quiz events and taking part in collections.

Mother-of-one Mrs Healy, of Bishopstone, near Seaford, said: "The Arctic Circle is the last European wilderness, with completely unspoilt territory.

"I'm slightly nervous but Lisa is being a lot braver than I am. It's going to be the experience of a lifetime."