A WOMAN is paying homage to her 'favourite place in the world' by completing a virtual walk across the Isle of Wight, with the sound of 1990s pop icon Chesney Hawkes to accompany her and a good luck message from actor Melvyn Hayes!

Lesley Dunn, 69, is isolating with husband John, 77 at their home in Cranham, Essex.

Instead of lounging on the sofa, Lesley has transformed her driveway into the long and winding road, tracking her steps and distance across the miles.

She said: "I wanted to do something to stay active, so I decided to walk the distance of the Isle of Wight coastline — my favourite place in the world — by walking up and down my drive while listening to Chesney Hawkes on my Sony Walkman.

"John painted a map of the Island on our garage door which is at the bottom of our drive and each day I move a magnet of me to the resort I have virtually reached.

"I have now walked the 74 miles of the coastline and am going inland to arrive at Newport on Thursday. From there I am intending to walk to Chocolate Heaven in Godshill and we are going to eat a lot of chocolate on our drive to mark the occasion!"

Lesley was born in Newport and lived in East Cowes until 1959, before relocating to Cranham. She and John visit the Island for a summer holiday every year, although 2020's ticket to Ryde has been the one and only time the trip has been postponed in recent years.

To make the experience as realistic as possible, Lesley has phoned her two Island based aunts when virtually passing their houses, and friend Melvyn Hayes sent a message of good luck.