A BRAVE traveller who set off to cycle round the world for charity last December has returned home after completing her challenge.

Hannah Bellasis, 30, from Taunton, decided to ride across the world on a bike with her friend Emese to raise money for St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice after her dad, Richard, died peacefully there in 2007.

Setting off on December 1, 2014, the planned route entailed cycling through New Zealand, Thailand, Laos, China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Baku ferry to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, Macedonia and Serbia to Hungary, before continuing on to the UK and ending up in Taunton in time for Christmas 2015.

Hannah was born in Taunton but lived in Ilminster until she was eight, before the family returned to Taunton.

Hannah was a pupil at Queen’s College and went on to study at Liverpool University, where her dad passed away during her final year.

Hannah's mum, Judy Bellasis, said: "It's just amazing.

"I am so proud of her."

To sponsor Hannah, visit https://www.justgiving.com/ ON HER BIKE: Hannah Be Hannah-Bellasis