A RUNNER is battling teeth-chattering temperatures of -18C by shutting herself in the local butcher's freezer.

Ultra runner Andrea Fawell can be found alongside the frozen meats at Newitt's of Thame butchers, in High Street, as part of her latest formidable feat.

Ms Fawell is on a quest which will take her to the arctic circle to tackle 100-miles in Northern Canada.

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As part of her training for the Yukon Arctic Ultra Marathon where temperatures can drop to -40C she has been practicing in a 'balmy -18C' freezer at the local butchers.

She said: "When I contacted Tom Newitt of Thame’s butchers Newitts of Thame to ask if I may use their freezers for training for a trip to the Arctic Circle I was overwhelmed with gratitude when Tom said yes.

"He said ‘we only go down to a balmy -18c’ but I was thrilled."

Ms Fawell has been spending most of her Saturday mornings shut inside the freezers training her body to become more familiar with running in such cold temperatures.

Mr Newitt said: "It has been a pleasure and very amusing to see Andrea disappear into the freezer these Saturday mornings.

"The shop is always busy but we found time to welcome her.

"We constantly have fabulous new recipes and meal ideas for our valued customers and it’s great to know her success will be in part to our food and freezers."

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The 100-mile event will take place on Sunday, February 3, and Ms Fawell will set off from Whitehorse, in Canada, before following the route of the 19th century Klondike Gold Rush along the frozen Yukon River.

She will be tackling it all while pulling behind her a sled carrying 40kg of essential survival kit.

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Ms Fawell said: "Tom and his team have been amazing in allowing me to practice with all my kit in their freezers.

"Everyone has been so kind, encouraging and great fun and they never forgot I was in there which was reassuring.

"I am so grateful to Tom for allowing me this unique opportunity to train, and I will of course be fuelled along the 100 miles by many of the delicious foods Newitts of Thame has to offer."