Dakar joy for UK woman bike rider

Patsy Quick runs an antique shop with her husband

An antiques shop owner from East Sussex has become the first female British motorcyclist to complete the 9,000km (5,600 miles) Dakar Rally.

Patsy Quick, 39, from Heathfield, finished in 88th position out of 93 bike riders who made it to the end.

Her support rider Clive Town, 37, also from Heathfield, ended the rally just one place behind her. They were two of only four UK entrants who finished.

The rally ended in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, Africa, on Sunday.

The finishing positions were taken from the end of the 14th stage on Saturday, because the final 31km of riding in Dakar was not timed as a mark of respect to two children killed in an accident when the rally passed from Guinea into Senegal.

Ruptured spleen

Ms Quick has completed the gruelling course at the fourth attempt.

In 2003 she ruptured her spleen, while last year a faulty battery put paid to her dreams.

The 28th Dakar Rally began in Lisbon, Portugal, on 31 December, with competitors on motorbikes, or in cars or trucks.

Ms Quick had to be towed by Mr Town for five hours in one stage

Ms Quick and Mr Town ride as Team Desert Rose, with Ms Quick's husband Clive Dredge working on team back-up and mechanics.

Mr Town's brother-in-law, Ian George, said the team's supporters had a celebratory meal on Saturday night.

"Everyone is so proud of them, it's something that they really love," he said.

"Although they didn't win, to actually complete it, it's on a par with Kelly Holmes winning at the Olympics.

"We're just praying they don't want to do it again next year. You can't stop them but you're on tenterhooks for the whole time, because unfortunately it does kill people."

Mr Town said the triumphant bike riders were expected to return to the UK on Wednesday.