LANGUAGE student, Annalynn Gillon, has overcome an eating disorder and anxiety to embark on an amazing 325km cycle ride through the Peruvian Andes.

First, though, the 22-year-old, from Kidderminster, has to raise at least £2,600 in sponsorship to qualify for the Peru Cycle Challenge, in aid of the mental health charity, MIND.

Miss Gillon, a keen cyclist who has previously raised money with a bike marathon for Leukaemia Research, is already in serious training for next June's event.

She is cycling 13 miles a day and jogging to ensure she is prepared for the gruelling 60km a day, five-day journey through the mystical land of the Incas.

The ride starts at Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, and the 30-strong group will cycle past spectacular Inca ruins and colourful villages to the finish at the lost city of Machu Picchu.

Miss Gillon, of Trinity Fields, who is studying Spanish and French with the Open University, is asking friends and family for donations and planning raffles and second hand sales to boost funds.

"It's a dream come true for me," she said. "It will be very tough but I am willing to put in the training so I can help people who suffer mental health problems."

Her own illness began two years ago when she suffered an eating disorder, which led to panic attacks, anxiety and a fear of going out.

"I became trapped in my own mind," said Miss Gillon, who sought professional help a year ago and is now better.

She added: " I still get setbacks and depression sometimes but you can't sit back and dwell on it - you have to keep active.These kind of problems can affect anyone, of any age from any class. I never thought it would happen to me."