An 18-year-old Hampshire student is aiming to become the youngest woman ever to run the length of Britain just days after completing her A-levels.

Phoebe Harris, a sixth-form student at Lord Wandsworth College in Long Sutton, will set off from John O'Groats on Saturday, June 20, accompanied by her father, Chris Harris.

The current record is believed to be held by Bradford athlete Ellie Horrocks, who was 20 when she completed the challenge. Phoebe hopes to set a new benchmark by covering more than 1,000 miles to Land's End over 68 days.

While many students will be celebrating the end of their exams and awaiting their results, Phoebe and her father plan to average around 17 miles a day in a bid to reach Cornwall before the end of August.

The challenge means Phoebe will receive her A-level results in biology, chemistry and English while still on the road. She hopes to achieve the grades needed to begin a medicine degree in September.

Phoebe was inspired by ultra-runner Imogen Boddy, who became the youngest known woman to run the length of Britain in 2022, after hearing her story from Lord Wandsworth College headmaster Adam Williams.

Phoebe said: "I used to hate everything to do with sport.

"But a few years ago, my dad and I were looking for ways to spend more time together and started training for a fundraising run at school. We trained with the aim of running 5k and on the day, I ran 30."

The pair recently completed the London Marathon together. Phoebe, who was diagnosed with autism in 2024, said running has had a profound impact on her wellbeing.

She said: "Being autistic means that my brain feels like a very busy place. When I run, it all slows down."

The challenge is raising money for the Lord Wandsworth Foundation, which supports children who have lost one or both parents, and the National Autistic Society, a cause close to Phoebe's heart.

Mr Williams said Phoebe "embodies everything that we encourage our students to strive for".