Devizes Books owner Jo Batchelor took on a gym challenge to raise money for charity in memory of her late mother.

Her mother Meg Simpson died earlier this year, aged 80, from heart complications following a fall. She lived near Winchester.

Ms Batchelor, who is a member of Curves, the women’s only gym at Roundway Hill Farm Business Park, completed four circuits of the 24 exercise machines at the gym.

A normal session takes 30 minutes but she did a two hour session non-stop to raise money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

She was supported by her father Eric Simpson, sister Emma Simpson, members of Curves and Devizes Mayor Pete Smith, who joined in on the machines.

Mr Smith said: “Jo does so much for the town and it is wonderful to see so many people supporting her. It made me feel tired just watching her, and I can personally vouch for how strenuous it was.”

Ms Batchelor, 50, finished the work out on November 18, the day after what would have been her mother’s 81st birthday.

“I have never been so physically tired in my whole life, but I didn’t ache the next day,” she said.

She has so far raised £1,649 and said: “I didn’t set a target and I’m amazed and absolutely stunned at the amount I have raised, it’s incredible. People are so generous. Heart disease touches a lot of people.

“I am so grateful to everyone that supported me. The BHF saves lives every day by funding ground-breaking research and caring for heart patients.”

Rosalind Ambler, who runs Curves Devizes, said: “Exercise is an important way of keeping fit and healthy. Our programme is proven to help overall health and we are fully behind the work that BHF does in trying to beat heart disease.”

Tony Batchelor, chairman of the Devizes branch of the BHF, said: “We are enormously grateful to everyone who has supported Jo. She does so much for our community and deserves our full support . The funds raised by Jo will help us to take another step in the race against heart disease.”

Donations can be given at Devizes Books or online at http://tinyurl.com/oxksmbr