AS if standing in the Sahara Desert were not hot enough, Dawlish resident Sarah Page has agreed to walk almost 60 miles across it.

Sarah has accepted the challenge set by her Exeter employers, Fidelius Insurance, in taking part in the Unicef Trek for the Children of Morocco, which takes place in the Sahara early next month.

Although it is a lot cooler in November than some of the other months, temperatures can still reach as high as 27C.

The route Sarah will be walking is designed to take in as much of the desert's beautiful and varied scenery as possible, from huge sand dunes to climb, to arid, boulder-strewn plains. She will be hiking well away from the established circuits and along a trade route that is still used by the nomadic Berber and Tuareg tribesmen, whom she hopes to encounter along the way.

Sarah, who was warmed up for the walk by climbing Ben Nevis, said: 'This will be a great physical challenge for me but at the same time I will be able to raise funds for Unicef and learn more about their work in Morocco.'

As part of the ongoing fundraising for the event, a charity music evening is taking place at Kenton Victory Hall tomorrow, starting at 7.30pm.