A record breaking marathon runner is under financial strain after having to fork out £12,100 to get home.

Fiona Oakes was forced to use sponsorship money destined for her animal sanctuary in Asheldham to pay for a flight from Chile, after becoming stranded in Antarctica.

Ms Oakes, who broke two world records and set a third after running a marathon on each continent, had already paid £5,700 for return business class flights from Chile for herself and mum Meg.

But Air France charged another £6,400 when they missed their connecting flight due to planes being grounded in Antarctica.

Air France waived the £1,200 for extra charges and donated a £1,000 to the sanctuary but will not refund the full £6,400.

A spokesman said the company was "deeply sympathetic" to the problems she had encountered but it is normal practice for the cost of any delays to be covered by a good insurance travel policy.

Full story in this week's Maldon and Burnham Standard.