A WOMAN with a taste for adventure has quit her job so she can embark on the trip of a lifetime - pedalling all the way from Prestwich to Athens and back.

Ambitious Anna Lupton (29) set out from her home in North Road last Thursday on a 5,000-mile cycle ride that will take her through 10 countries on the way to and from the Greek capital.

When she arrived in Athens, the film studies graduate plans to stay with a friend for a few days before heading back to the UK, taking part in several mountain races on the way back.

As if the challenge wasn't difficult enough already, Anna's bike will be weighed down by a tent, medical and repair equipment and other supplies.

Last week, she handed in her notice at the National Film Archive in Manchester and said "goodbye" to Prestwich for the summer.

"My family are a bit worried about me, especially my mum, because the furthest I've ever cycled is to Settle in Yorkshire, so Athens is a little bit more difficult," said Anna, who is a former pupil of St Monica's High School and also has two masters degrees.

She added: "I have been cycling in the last year or so with Manchester Wheelers, but my background is in running, with Radcliffe Athletics Club.

"I am sure that experience will stand me in good stead, as I've taken part in some triathalons and some runs at altitude."

Anna is being cheered on from home by boyfriend John Brown, who is also a keen cyclist, her parents Theresa and Steve as well as other family members and friends.

She expects to cycle about 60 miles a day, starting with a trip Folkestone this week and onto France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece, before returning via Croatia and Slovenia. Along the way, Anna plans to camp out or stay in bed and breakfast accommodation.

"Cycling along the Danube trail from Germany and Austria will be one of the highlights.

"I don't really know what to expect and my plan is to just take it one step at a time. Getting all the way there and back would be amazing," she said.