A charity fundraiser has been forced to stop her world record-breaking attempt to run across the United States because of injury.

Ultramarathon athlete Mimi Anderson embarked upon the dash across America from Los Angeles to New York in September.

She hoped to complete the 2,850 mile run in 53 days, and smash the current world record set by South African Mavis Hutchinson in 1979, who completed the distance in 69 days.

Earlier this month, the 55-year-old from Smarden passed the 2,000 mile mark, but in the days that followed she was forced to stop because of injury.

In a post to her Twitter followers she said she had to have an MRI scan, and had her fingers crossed that she could continue.

But, sadly she admitted defeat when she posted: “Unfortunately the MRI results weren’t the results I wanted, in fact worse than expected.

"I’m devastated and have had no choice but to stop.”

Despite this, she has inspired many others to get active, and donations to her two chosen charities continue to pour in.

In the past she has completed gruelling runs including the South Africa Freedom Trail in 2014, and holds a number of world records including being the fastest woman to run from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Her running career began when she was 36 as a way of combating anorexia, and from humble beginnings on the treadmill she is now a world-renowned endurance athlete.

Before embarking on her run across the United States, she trained by running 30 miles each day.

She is supporting Marie Curie, a charity which supports people with terminal illnesses, and she is also supporting Free to Run, a cause which helps young women fight discrimination and get active in sport around the world.