THE Yorkshire Three Peaks is a walk so well known there is a permanent track worn across the tops of Penyghent, Ingleborough and Whernside where thousands of feet have left their mark.

But a new circular walk that includes the famous peaks and more than doubles the total distance has been created by a young woman from Tosside and her god father.

Ellie Wharton, 31, a support worker currently living in Settle, had heard the tales of her father, Joe Wharton, and two friends from Tosside - Richard Mann whose parents farmed in the village, and Duncan Bicknell, whose parents ran the Dog and Partridge pub, setting off on an epic walk taking in the Three Peaks and Pendle Hill.

Ellie was only a small child in the early 1990s when her dad and his friends set off for what was to be called A Peak Too Far - a walk taking in all three peaks, plus Pendle Hill, near Clitheroe.

Joe was always determined to complete the task while Duncan and Richard agreed to accompany him so far In the end, one July day in the early 1990s, they set off. The two companions covered around 40 miles, diverting off to Tosside as they got half way between Wigglesworth and Bolton-by-Bowland while Joe carried on for anther dozen or so miles to complete his walk to the top of Pendle Hill and back down again. His walk was just shy of 60 miles.

"We had been talking about that walk and my god father and I joked saying we would do one better and make it into a circuit.

"My dad then got it into his head that he wanted to put Tosside "on the map" and insisting we had to start and end in Tosside.

"We ended up calling it Walk of the Roses: A Peak Too Far - circuit."

Tosside is a hamlet which sits half in Yorkshire and half in Lancashire and it is possible to stand with each foot in different counties.

The Walk of the Roses is a nod to the historic rivalry between the two rose counties.

On June 22 on the stroke of midnight, Ellie and Richard touched Queen Victoria's jubilee memorial in the centre of Tosside and set off.

"From Tosside we walked along the back way to Rathmell. We were excited but nervous about the journey ahead," she explained.

"I hadn't done any walking in training through I do run a few miles about three times a week.

"I had bought snazzy trainers and two pairs of socks which claimed you could walk a thousand miles without getting a blister.

"Mum and dad followed in the car and met us at different points so we could eat and drink without having to carry too much.

"It was beautiful walking at night and having the bright moon and stars above us.

"From there we walked to Settle, Stainforth and got to Penyghent at around 4am.

"Penyghent looked stunning and was a real boost to the system. The sun started to come up and there was a beautiful layer of fog which sat underneath it, making it look even more heavenly.

"We made it to the first trig point and there were two men who had been there all night taking photos of the wonderful view. I told them what we were going to try and do and they were shocked and looked sceptical.

From Penyghent we walked on to the second peak of Whernside. The viaduct looked incredible and we were feeling grateful for the perfect weather conditions.

"We then walked to the third peak, Ingleborough, where most people would normally finish. But instead we walked through Clapham, over Keaden Moor and Bowland Knotts, by Stocks Reservoir, near Slaidburn, and over to Sawley."

At this point Ellie's god father, despite walking around 60 miles, had to call it a day because his feet were too blistered and bloody to carry on.

"So it was just me," said Ellie.

"My brother Nathan walked with me through the fields to Downham and then my boyfriend Barry Hewitt walked up Pendle Hill with me in the dark.

"I needed all the moral support I could get by this point.

"I got to the trig point on top of Pendle Hill at 11.55pm on Saturday 23 June 18. I made it to Pendle Hill trig in just under 24 hours. I then followed my same route down Pendle hill and then walked to Chatburn, back to Sawley and onward to the final destination where I started... Tosside. I had my mum and dad driving next to me and making sure I was safe and my boyfriend and brother taking it in turns to walk with me.

"I was beginning to hallucinate and saw flashing lights, probably from exhaustion and dehydration and was so relieved to make it back to the memorial at around 5am on Sunday, June 24.

"I had walked 76 miles and felt exhausted but thrilled.

"We really want the walk to become a regular challenge for walkers and my dad has agreed to meet people at Tosside Community Hall at the start of their walk and at the finish to record their time.

"There are probably people who could run it but it is a good challenge for regular walkers who want to test themselves."

"I was sad for Richard. He was a legend but his feet wouldn't allow him to go any further.

"Fortunately for me I didn't get a single blister and the only after effect was my stomach felt funny."

Asked if she was likely to try and improve her time?

"No. I don't think I would do it again, mainly because of the mental stress," she said.

"But it was an unreal experience and I have set a target of just under 29 hours for people to beat. I really hope it becomes a regular challenge."